Political Correctness: P.C.

“In the case of the politically correct, the prohibition of certain words, phrases and ideas is advanced in the cause of building a brave new world free of racism and hate, but this vision harmony clashes with the very ideals of diversity” (Kakutani) 

Political Correctness is one of the trending topics of discussion and debate. By the definition, political correctness is the avoidance, often considered as taken to extremes, of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against. I completely agree with the definition. There is a positive ideology behind the term, yet the phrase is so often surrounded with negative connotations. I believe that everyone should push towards the positive agenda of political correctness where women and minorities are not insulted. 

Some like Kakutani may argue that political correctness limits the freedom of speech and clashes with “very ideals of diversity.” I agree with that. But the present culture is utilizing that as a reason for insulting not for explaining the truth. The growing use of social media has led many people who held negative views privately to think that they now have the right to express them without thinking about the consequence or consideration for who they might offend. If political correctness is used to hide or alter the truth to make it sound sweet, then it is the wrong way. But, the current society is using the term political correctness to validate their extreme views of what is and what isn’t acceptable in society, and this is not what political correctness aims to achieve. It is about not insulting or hurting women and minorities who have already faced a lot of discrimination in their lives. Thus, we all should strive towards explaining the truth clearly as it is to have a “brave new world” but not towards insulting minorities or others.