As our generation explores the use of technology and communication, we are exposed to others’ opinions and beliefs. We learn the new studies of sexes, genders, and identities. As we come into experience with new people and their unique, extraordinary beliefs, we learn more about ourselves and what kind of person we really are. We teach ourselves to be politically correct. We teach ourselves to abide by the new ideas and ethics we learn from others in order to please them. We aim to not offend.
As time evolves, generations pick up new words and terminology that they hope to pass onto others. Our generation specifically has become one that aims to be politically correct. Unlike the other generations, many of us are teaching ourselves to be less ignorant, and incorporate more foreign ideas into our everyday life. Currently, society is navigating a way to make our ethics, way of speaking, and living more politically correct. For example, we are learning that many people do not identify as the gender that they appear to. Someone who appears to be of the female gender might be preferred to be called they, because they do not identify as either a male or female. Some are hearing that others do not even identify as human; and in this society, it seems especially odd but our generation is trying to mold to what makes people comfortable.
Now we are hearing of otherkin who identify as other than human.
Being politically correct is merely walking on eggshells to make people feel as comfortable as they can be. With more exposure, we learn that it isn’t all that hard. We pick up on new habits and lifestyle conditions that make us more considerate of others.
A large problem with being politically correct is that the older generations and even some people in our generation believe that it is a habit that is particularly unnecessary. Both generations would think that trying to be more considerate and correct when speaking about others with different lifestyles is too much of a change. But imagine how much happier people would be when people are more considerate to them! While no one is unproblematic, we can try our hardest to keep others in mind when we speak and live. It’s not that difficult.
Those who are not considerate of others and their lives do not think about how lazy they are. They don’t think about how little work it is to change minor habits in your lifestyle. It’s not selfless to be more cautious when acting around others different than you. It is selfish to assume that when you live your everyday life carelessly offending people, you should take no thought to the damage you are doing.
By Kendall Phillips
jeff silvey • Feb 14, 2015 at 8:19 am
Look bottom line political correctness takes the place for freedom of speech in civilized societies, as to protect the weak from truth. In modern society we put so much stock in words than in decisions that we forget what mental strength is. Words hurt people so much now over the last two decade the suicide rate has increased immensely. Rather than make us believe a word from a dictionary is a weapon we should teach kids self worth and to not care about what others are “offended” by. Believe me most people that would talk to my dad would dislike him for whatever reason. Noone is going to be liked by everyone. Everyone has different motives for living. To condemn individuality is to deny liberty.
Adam Hunt • Feb 18, 2015 at 7:49 am
There’s a difference between “free speech” and “consequence free speech”. Remember that, while you have freedom of speech, everyone around you has the right to think you’re a jerk. If, for instance, you say profanities during a job interview and don’t get hired, it’s not because political correctness has gone too far. You’re just being a jerk. Sure, you have every right to be a jerk; however, that doesn’t override anyone else’s right to not like you or speak out against you.
I’ve noticed that most people who complain about political correctness just don’t want to take responsibility for the things that they say. It’s gotten to the point where there have been store clerks who have gotten cussed out for saying “happy holidays” instead of “merry Christmas”. Sure, there’s some absolutely ridiculous cases of people getting too offended over someone who just said something that maybe they should have phrased better, but that doesn’t discredit political correctness itself.
Rahul Tamta • Feb 13, 2015 at 11:39 am
Choosing to avoid talking about societal problems allows them to perpetuate.
Arjun Nair • Feb 11, 2015 at 11:06 am
Is Political Correctness important?
Yes. But at the same time, we cannot allow free speech to silence free and open discussion. The 1st Amendment does protect your speech, but only from the government. Your friends have the right to call you out on any slurs that you use. We, as informed citizens, should recognize that many things, like the “n” word, don’t have a place in modern society. However, we shouldn’t let PC stifle free and open discussion either. The world is an uncomfortable place and we can’t build the world to suit everyone’s needs. There is a line. For example, there was a story at Harvard Law where a student asked that the word “violate” not be used in a question “does this conduct violate the law” and there are several students saying that rape law should not be taught AT ALL as it is “triggering.” To show an example, I believe that homophobia is wrong, but I believe in the right to be homophobic. As Voltaire once said “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” There is a line for Political Correctness and working to make sure people are comfortable, but when that line is crossed, people are silenced, and NO ONE deserves to be silenced.
Link to story: https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/trouble-teaching-rape-law/
Hannah Baltimore • Feb 10, 2015 at 7:47 am
I just wanted to say that people should have freedom to say whatever they want to say, although they should be careful of who they’re saying it around but a majority of the time people should be able to say whatever they want to say or pretty soon freedom will be a thing of the past.
nickhegs • Feb 9, 2015 at 6:38 pm
Contrary to the article, political correctness IS highly unnecessary. PC limits free speech and manages to put hate where there previously was none. Why can’t we talk about social issues openly rather than avoiding taboo subjects? When ‘unthinkable’ subjects are kept in the figurative closet, no problems are solved. Calling things what they are, regardless of societal speech acceptance, is not synonymous with being “ignorant”, as the article says. It is the exact opposite; open speech does not ignore racial or sexual tensions, it mentions them openly.