Political Correctness: The Need for a Balanced Approach Since the advent of language, individuals have regularly stood ready to label certain language as “impolite.” In response, society has generated a means of circumventing such “improper” language which has become known as political correctness today. The term political correctness has become widely used since the 1990s in the United States and suggests the evasion of language and actions that aim to ignore, sideline, or offend groups of people who are underprivileged or discriminated against in society. Recently, the term has progressed into a cultural war between the political left and right leading to confrontational debates where free speech battles courtesy and inclusion. Political correctness can be beneficial when employed as a means of politeness and inclusion by willing to understand the thoughts and feelings of others, however, when excessive it acts as censorship, negates history, and becomes ineffective by portraying the false image of a civil society. Political correctness when used appropriately, has the potential to make a society civil and inclusive. Politically correct language’s goal is to structure public discourse to shield marginalized or historically oppressed groups form offense or insult. Due recent events such as the 2016 Presidential Election, political correctness comes off as an encroachment to free speech, yet, when utilized appropriately it can actually enhance free speech and allow for a
In this article the research I collected explains the use of political correctness at a University. The purpose of political correctness is to avoid or take extreme measures to desist any action or expression that may exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against. It is clear that majority of the people in this article are not satisfied by the way issues were handled at the University. The author presented relevant information to answer the question; “Is political correctness an enemy of free speech?”. Some government officials that were brought into this situation, agreed with political correctness and what it means. While doing this research I learned that political correctness in not only this, but also is a tool used to control people's speech so that no one feels offended. I believe political correctness is barricade for anyone who wants a power of choice. Moreover, this article is useful for an analysis on limitations for societies in
However, many groups claim that political correctness in society is justified in its efforts to sanitize offensive material created though years of oppressing minorities. What was originally a noble idea, to remove blatant words of offensive meaning, has turned into an “over the top” effort to rid any words of possible controversy. We are regulating our ways of plain speaking, freedom of choice, and freedom of speech. Laws of restrictions on slander and public decency should be decided on the common law methodology and not by the interests of the liberal “mob”. If plain speaking is not allowed, clear thinking is
Freedom of speech is a glorious thing and a privileges of living in the United States of America is being able to express one’s opinion. Segments of society are making an effort to stifle people’s opinions to do what is politically correct. Can people’s ideas of protection be too extreme? In the article, “The Coddling of the American Mind”, Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt argue that there is a negative outcome when rules are given to stop people from being offended, and this statement is supported from real life examples, analogies, and reliable sources.
On November 9, it was announced that Donald Trump would be president. This essay isn’t entirely about Donald Trump, but rather about one of the reasons why he was elected: he’s not afraid to “tell it like it is” rather than worry about being politically correct. One of the complaints from the millions of people who voted for Trump is that America is too politically correct, almost to the point that it infringes on free speech. Whether this is true or not is debatable.
agree with the use of political correctness. It can be beneficial and have some disadvantages.
The politically correct movement is made
As American people, we know that we are entitled to certain rights according to the constitution; one of which is freedom of speech. In Civility and Its Discontents, Leslie Epstein explores the limits and contradictions of this much cherished right when considering whether he would expel a student who wrote racial slurs in the dorm rooms of a University if it was up to him. He discusses this situation and topics that stem from it in an analytical yet somewhat emotionally involved tone and makes the reader reflect on the wide range of information presented about the issues of political correctness, freedom of speech, expulsion, and racism.
Political correctness has become increasingly obvious in our daily lives. For example, the other day I attended the first meeting of the Frisbee Club here on the State University campus. During the meeting, we were discussing the fact we wanted shirts for this year, but we did not know what slogan to use.
Political correctness is a concept encouraged in the simplicity of technology. And perhaps, it is political correctness which tears apart and inhibits the expression of the self, leading to suppression and depression. Technology is the vector by which expression can be allowed or burned into ashes.
For one thing, in the op-ed “Can We Start Taking Political Correctness Seriously Now?” the author Chait summarizes that the protesters in the student demonstration at the University of Missouri besieged a photographer. Most supporters on the left think that young people want to keep themselves from any offense, and they believe that political correctness only occurs on campus; however, the truth is that political correctness will spread beyond the campuses. Next, Chait compares the Columbia event to the New Haven scene. Both of them express doubt in the “political democracy.” Finally, the author claims that the political correctness is excessive on campus, and leftists cannot escape the problem of political correctness. On the other hand, in the op-ed “The Delicate Little Flowers on Today’s College Campuses,” the author Goldberg explains that the Yale riot is due to the reply of a caution to stop wearing Halloween costumes. Also, as the scientist analyzes, current college students are so delicate that they always think they are offended. Then, Goldberg gives us the conclusion that it is the problem of education rather than political correctness itself. At last, he visualizes that these students flow into the society with “emotional cocoon” in the future. Although Chait’s Op-ed shows effective self-presentation in his claim about the leftist ideology of the political correctness, Goldberg does a better job by providing concrete evidence in logos and pathos in
Elaborating on Charles’ comment, political correctness is a troubling aspect of American society as is the tone of the current presidential race. Yet civil war, foreign attacks, economic turmoil, two presidential impeachments, a presidential resignation, military campaigns and political correctness has battered but not destroyed the nation. The key is the inward base found in the simplicity of a government created by the people and for the people, an outside
Political correctness in the United States is often seen as killing the country. From the point of view of republicans, it is believed that political correctness is more like a sort of Manchurian candidate which has been unleashed by the Democrats in order to undermine the establishment of conformity and mediocrity. The political correctness also often results in the downfall of the country. There are resulting declining educational standards along with the inability to have the security of jobs and also the resultant diminished American within the current modern world. The political correctness also seems to be taking over the entire American society which is evident when 5 of the Californian students were however sent back home
Anywhere in America today, a newspaper headline or magazine article touts an alleged injustice against an individual based on their race, handicap, religion, or sexuality. Yet the supposed victims of discrimination are sometimes the very people shouting the loudest if they receive the equal treatment they are demanding. If taken on a case-by-case basis, there is certainly bountiful evidence authenticating the practice of impartiality does occur. However, the danger of attempting to placate all by offending none, can destroy every American’s right to free speech. We have become a nation so focused on policing our own thoughts and expressions we bowdlerize their very intent and meaning. Consequently, this
Political correctness features prominently within the play. Political correctness was seen as a highly controversial issue in the late 1980s to the early 1990s and was argued within a 1992 essay collection, debating political correctness, that it was “The most important discussion in American education”. This was perhaps due to the numerous amounts of opinions on whether or not political correctness was right. Political correctness repressed people’s abilities to freedom of speech and therefore there were many differing
Political correctness is a political ideology, nothing more. I believe political correctness is a political ideology and it cannot be correct unless it is linked to genuine transformation. First, I will examine the origins of political correctness to try to get a clear understanding of what this movement is. Second, I will show you that political correctness is political and how it became a political ideology. Lastly, I shall discuss why this ideology does not work.