Political Correctness
I sometimes wonder how the trend toward “political correctness” gained so much steam.
The “practice” has existed for many years but has gone through several evolutions. I don’t know this for a fact, but it wasn’t so many years ago when its latest incarnation seemed to take hold. I think it was just a matter of some people trying to be polite to others and using euphemisms instead of honest, straightforward words. It seemed like a sincere attempt not to hurt the feelings of some groups of people. Blind became visually impaired, retarded became intellectually challenged.
These new references really took off and many have become mainstream phrases, seriously preferred in place of the original (and true) descriptive words. But it spread well beyond some “nice” phrases for real CONDITIONS to altered meanings for certain CLASSES of people. It has now become a subtle form of censorship. Or worse… some words and phrases have come to have the exact opposite connotation as their actual meaning. Terrorists have become freedom fighters. How Orwellian!
When the use of specific words began to diminish so certain persons would not be offended, instead of being satisfied with the “nicer” references, it seems that they become even more sensitized to the use of words… demanding still more adaptation of word use so their sensibilities would be spared yet more insult.
While I’ve never been one to push others around verbally, and I have respect for others and try to choose my words well, I resent being put into the position of not being able to use the absolute best words when describing something or someone for fear it will be misinterpreted. It seems the benefactors of political correctness (at least as I’ve defined here), have come to look at the use of words referring to themselves as a right… that they, and they alone, can determine if the words are acceptable or offensive. While they can think what they want about the words I use, they have no right to prevent me from using those words.
We are not guaranteed the right not to be offended… but that’s the way some people think. If something offends them, that should not be allowed. This victim mentality has become far too prevalent.
Far worse, now there are “hate speech” laws on the books. Again, I am not supporting the vulgar use of words… or the use of vulgar words… but at what point does it infringe on my Freedom Of Speech? More important, WHO makes that decision.
Speak up, America!
