In recent times we as a people have transformed our way of communicating honestly and effectively due to the incorporation of Political Correctness. Before its implementation, we as a people use to say what was on our minds with honesty; we use to call a spade a spade. Now that the general population has started to become more sensitive about what we say to each other and how we say it, one can’t help but to notice that we have ultimately become a society where individual ego has taken over, and deception has become our primary weapon. This all came about because of issues like racism and discrimination; it became unacceptable for one to voice their philosophies or opinions for the fact that it may hurt someone’s feelings and repercussions are sure to follow. It’s not that I can’t understand the notion of trying to protect the institution of respect for your fellow man (or woman), but how can we respect each other when we don’t truly know where each other is coming from. It has become incredibly difficult to discern between who is “real” and whose “fake”, and it was that way before the politically correct movement. Now that we’ve been censored, we have ushered in a new era where we are forced to lie to each other and smile, when in fact, what we really want to do is release the burden of biting our tongues, and give one another a piece of our minds. The landscape of America has changed as a result of everyone suddenly becoming “political”, it has caused a chain reaction of events that carries irreversible effects. The main effect is human relations, we will never be able to trust one another as much as we once may have; this has led to us being a “shadier” species over time, and we are steadily on the decline. There are already too many people walking around with a “snake in the grass” complex, the idea of being politically correct has only fueled this behavior. It is impossible to determine where all of this may lead us in the (not too distant) future, but if we consider where we are now, it’s kind of difficult to imagine how things could get any better while all that we have witnessed is failure. We are forced to be nice to each other while using language, but that doesn’t actually make our intentions good, nor does it make us feel any differently about a particular subject. I wish we could revert back to a time when we actually had free speech, I like to know who and what I’m dealing with at all times, and P.C. has made that knowledge virtually impossible to attain. I have respect for those who show the same respect to me that I would show to them, and while I understand that not everyone shares that same philosophy; I think that it worked better in our system of democracy to let the people express their feelings and ideologies freely.
I agree with you in the sense that it is very hard to form a true and honest relationship with someone if what they say isn't what they mean. I think a lot of people bite their tongue, because the thought of being not politically correct is too much to bear. Personally I like when people are straight up with me because I never have to wonder, and I think it forms a more honest relationship thus making the relationship stronger. We as Americans still have the right to free speech, and we can say whatever we want to a point, P.C. is just a matter of emotions. For example if I was hanging out with a bunch of my closest friends I might not necessarily be "Politically Correct" but if I was running for office I certainly would be. I think P.C. was set out for good intentions but it has gone a little overboard. If people are not politically correct in their speaking they can be pegged as insensitive and racist which usually is not the case and is not fair to them. Being politically Correct in some cases can be necessary, in order not to offend someone, but like you said I think we as a nation are becoming a little too sensitive with this particular issue.
ReplyDeleteFirst, good job on the writing in this blog, your points were clearly made and it was easy for me to follow your thoughts. I often get frustrated at our society’s need to always be politically correct. I think it has gone a bit too far and it seems like everyone concerned with being politically correct is walking on a tight rope and is afraid of “falling” by offending someone else. I have never connected the need to be politically correct with the deception that is prevalent in our society, it makes sense though. You make a good point about the harm that we do when we hide our true thoughts to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. It is possible to tell your true opinions and thoughts in a way that is both truthful and respectful. I’ve had the pleasure to know one girls who is completely transparent. She is truthful about her opinions and about herself (in a respectful way) and it is so refreshing to be around her because she is real; she is herself and is not hiding behind some personification of herself that she has created. Ignorance is bliss, or is it? I would rather know the truth of what someone believes and thinks rather than their lies that are politically correct. I want to interact with the person, not the mask they hold.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts, It's good to see other people's thoughts on the concept of P.C. I personally, had quite a bit of trouble what P.C really meant. It's hard to define something that was originally a “made-up” phrase. The making of this phrase had made research on this subject rather difficult, so many different concepts around P.C. Till' this day the phrase remains highly controversial. One side says it's a good and one side says it's bad for free speech (like what you think). I believe it's both. If you look at my blog I also wrote and tried to express my thoughts on what P.C. Really was. I concluded: It is good and bad, depending on people's intentions. The intentions of misleading, twisting, phrases around to make obviously offense terms into something acceptable is inappropriate, and when done so, P.C falls into a type of doublespeak.
ReplyDeleteYou noted, “I wish we could revert back to a time when we actually had free speech.” Correct me if I misinterpreted your point, but are you noting that P.C. Actually destroyed free speech? Meaning, we can no longer say what is on our minds? I believe we still do have free speech but in our society, being a jerk is frown upon. And Political Correctness actually plays a role in this “politeness” in our American society. I understand your point that people are different, and people have different philosophies, and some things will never change. I believe P.C when used, with good intentions, can prevent looking like a jerk in public, and when used with bad intentions, it will ultimately offend people.
Good articulated blog, I enjoyed reading it, I hope you're able to respond back against this comment, I really am looking forward to your further thoughts about my interpretation of P.C.