Politically Correct

One of the most oft-used phrases we hear these days is "politically correct." Initially, it was introduced as a way of describing efforts not to offend or insult various segments of the population. But as time has passed ther are those who view it as an annoying and/or unnecessary hindrance to free expression: "I can't criticize people who belong to a certain race because people will say it is not politically correct." For instance, some will complain about not being able to comment on the amount of black-on-black crime for fear of being viewed as a racist or denigrating all African Americans. So, they lash out at having to be "politically correct" as they feel doing so limits their ability to speak their mind.

More and more, I have come to view that kind of thinking as lazy. No one is saying people should not be free to communicate their thoughts or feelings. Rather, what "politically correct" represents is a need for all of us to communicate with greater thought, sensitivity and knowledge. That does not sound so bad to me even though it does call for all of us to think more before we speak. Words do matter so all of us have a responsibility to use them with care. Perhaps one way to view this is to compare words to bullets. Fired randomly, bullets can do great and tragic harm. But if one thinks before they fire, then bullets can serve as an effective weapon against a specific target.

Perhaps, generally, our society is becoming more sensitive. Perhaps we are becoming more quick to have our feelings hurt. But is that so bad? I think not. If one communication as the act of two or more connecting and exchanging thoughts and information, then it seems logical that such an act should be carried out with a certain level of intellect. My sense is the ones complaining the most about this are the ones who prefer being able to let loose with their perspectives with little regard or respect for those with whom they wish to connect. To you I say, "Get with the program." Striving to be "politically correct" is not about stifling free speech. Instead, it's goal is to help make that speech better.