The term 'political correctness' has existed since late sixties, but recently rose to prominence, sparking debate about the relevancy of the term, and what it actually means. Political Correctness is defined as ''the avoidance, often considered as taken to extremes, of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against.'' Taken at face value, Political Correctness would appear to be positive, essentially meaning that one should express oneself in a way that doesn't disadvantage others, although in recent years the phrase has become controversial, many feeling that it is used as a way to censor opinions and ideas. The latest battleground of ideological warfare is the college campus, where fierce debate regarding free speech and censorship rage. 4 in 10 college students believe that the government should be able to 'prevent' speech that could be considered offensive to minorities. This statistic is troubling to say the least, and made more so by their willingness to overlook the multitude of controversies concerning the first amendment.
Halloween 2015 at Yale University; several students complained to their professor Nicholas Christakis about overbearing restrictions on what costumes could be worn. Christakis's wife Erika (also a professor) responded to the complaints by writing an email in which she respectfully made a case for free expression, stating, “I wonder, and I am not trying to be provocative: Is there no room anymore for a child or young person to be a little bit obnoxious, little bit inappropriate or provocative or, yes, offensive?” as well as ''if you don’t like a costume someone is wearing, look away, or tell them you are offended. Talk to each other. Free speech and the ability to tolerate offense are the hallmarks of a free and open society.'' These statements led to widespread outrage among the student body of Yale, over 740 students signing an open letter which called Erika's email 'offensive', 'jarring and disheartening', arguing that email she wrote invalidates the voices of minorities on the campus. Hundreds of students attacked the couple, harassing them and calling for the immediate resignation of both Nicholas and Erika. When Nicholas attempted to confront the protesters, he was cut off, and shouted down by students, one recorded as shouting, ''It is not about creating an intellectual space! It is not! Do you understand that? It is about creating a home here!'' Erica Christakis has since resigned.
This is just one example of political correctness run amok. At Hamilton College, students issued a list of 80 demands for their college to enact. such as forbidding white professors to teach certain, unspecified classes, and the removal of the name Elihu Root from various campus structures, stating “because of his historic role in colonization.” Elihu Root was a member of the Hamilton Class of 1864, served as U.S. senator and Secretary of State and even won the Nobel Peace Prize because of his opposition to war.
Another controversial facet of college culture is the implementation of 'Safe Spaces,' areas which shelter students from 'harmful' ideas. At Brown university last fall, a debate about rape culture on college campuses was scheduled, between feminist Jessica Valenti and Libertarian Wendy McElroy. Many students were outraged, none more then Katherine Byron, a member of the Sexual Assault Task Force at Brown, who stated, ''Bringing in a speaker like that could serve to invalidate people’s experiences, it could be damaging.'' In response to the outrage, the school's administration set up a competing seminar about sexual assault held at the same time as the debate. In addition to the seminar a safe space was created for students who were triggered by the free expression of ideas. When asked why a safe space was necessary, Byron replied, ''Bringing in a speaker like that could serve to invalidate people’s experiences It could be damaging.'' The safe space in question “was equipped with cookies, coloring books, bubbles, Play-Doh, calming music, pillows, blankets and a video of frolicking puppies,'' according to Byron, in hopes of making students feel protected from opposing viewpoints. Student Emma Hall initially attempted to watch the debate, but soon retreated to the safe space, stating, ''I was feeling bombarded by a lot of viewpoints that really go against my dearly and closely held beliefs,'' seemingly unaware that a large aspect of college life is to expose oneself to differing ideas and opinions
Political correctness has become a talking point this election cycle, primarily by Republican candidates, feeding off the exasperation many Americans feel towards the concept. Donald Trump in particular prides himself as being ''politically incorrect,'' using that phrase as a shield against any and all criticism leveled against him. When asked about his blatantly unconstitutional ban on Muslims entering the country, Trump stated, ''It's probably not politically correct, but I don’t care.'' When talking about foreign policy, Trump railed against Obama, stating that ISIS is “cutting off the heads of Christians,'' but we’re “too politically correct to respond in kind.” Ignoring the fact that the vast majority of ISIS's victims have been Muslim, and that Trump advocated for the US to ignore the Geneva Conventions and behead prisoners, Trump's statements are not ''politically incorrect, they are simply incorrect. It is not ''politically incorrect'' to deport 11 million immigrants, to mock John McCain for being a prisoner of war, to call Obama a Kenyan and a Muslim, or to advocate 'punishments' for women who get abortions, Donald Trump is not fighting political correctness, if anything, he's a part of it. Trump shares more in common with the aforementioned students then you may think, both attempting to silence those who challenge his ideas. Trump has banned the Washington Post, Univision, the Huffington Post, Politico and others from attending his events. He is easily offended, suing comedian Bill Maher for cracking jokes at his expense, he has promised to ''open up libel and slander laws.'' He regularly retweets white supremacist propaganda, and whines about how mean and unfair the media is when reporting his latest actions. Trump is as thin-skinned as they come, he creates a bubble around himself, only allowing positive reinforcement in, surrounding himself with yes-men, creating an echo chamber of praise, and censoring those who offer opposing viewpoints. A safe space, if you will.
