Political Correctness

Political Correctness- Have we gone too far?

Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen!
I mean… Men and women…
No, Soroptimists! Women and men!
Males and females?
Please forgive me, my fellow human beings, for it is only my wish that I do not offend any one of you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, if I may call you so, I wish to pose the question to each of you here tonight: Has political correctness gone too far?

The idea that our language structures how we think is a subject that is of great interest to me. It is all well and good to listen to interviews of politicians, or people in similar roles, to get a grasp on what PC means- for them. But it is my opinion that political correctness affects ordinary people more, as we make up the population of Britain, Ireland and well, the world.  I asked many people from all parts of the community- teachers, doctors, labourers, students; to name but a few- the above question and the majority of them answered immediately an unequivocal, yes.

And, on the one hand, it’s easy to see were they are (were?) coming from. In our modern world it seems you cannot say anything subjective about any one who is not a middle class white heterosexual man. Otherwise you’ll be diagnosed with racism, elitism, ageism, sexism… The list of “isms” goes on and on.

Political correctness has it’s origins in America. First used by the left side of politics in mockery of the right, and then adopted by the conservative right to throw back in the tormentor’s face. PC is essentially a way in which our language is controlled and maintained so that no one is offended.

But the thing is, to try to control and maintain it is simply impossible. Language is dynamic, changing and alive; why would we even want to control it?

Words are just words, right? Yes and no. The legendary Shakespeare once wrote "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Words are the names we give to objects, places or people. But we think with words, also, and therefore the entanglement of thought and language is ever-present. So sometimes, if sub-consciously, the words we use make us think differently…and what we think affects the words we use.

Recently, Clive Anderson presented a programme on BBC radio 4, entitled “PC RIP?”-Question mark- which explored Political correctness and its purpose in society today. The shifting nature of language was also addressed, looking specifically at words used colloquially for homosexuals. In the 1960s, the term “queer”, meaning “strange” or “odd”, was used commonly for homosexuals, however it was viewed as a derogatory term and so a new accepted word was brought into play- the word “Gay”, meaning “merry” or “lively”. Now, it goes without saying that the word “gay” in 2008 is tossed around in a belittling way. You can’t go into a playground of a primary school without hearing the insult “…well you’re gay!” being thrown around by young boys. And because of this, we see the word “queer” coming back on the scene. Many members of the homosexual community actually prefer to be called queer; this is obvious from organised activities such as the Queer Liberation movement, and TV shows like “Queer eye for the straight guy”. With the meaning of words changing so often, it’s easy to see how some people become confused, and consequently see Political correctness as gone too far.

The thinking behind Political Correctness is that of a just, humanitarian kind. Who doesn’t want to live in a world were everyone gets on? Were everyone is free to be themselves, exactly as they are?

And sometimes, if perhaps on the rare occasion, political correctness is needed for equality and a fair country.

As an example, and gentlemen I wish not to offend with this, but a need for Political Correctness is undeniable from the simple names we give to men and women who are in equal roles or positions.
If you are a man and reach the top of the culinary career you are acknowledged as a chef. And if you are a women? Well, then, you are a cook. Just words, it could be argued, but words which bring to the mind completely different judgments and yet are meant to have the same importance and significance.

So is political correctness necessary for a changing, diverse world? Or simply a speed bump in the traffic of truth, free-thought and speech?
Author Anthony J. D’Angelo writes “Transcend political correctness and strive for human righteousness”, and I second that. At the end of the day, language is a tool, a bridge if you like, to connect people through communication and understanding. Although this tool is occasionally abused, if we treat people as individuals we cannot go wrong. It is the only correct way to use the language, after all.