The term “political correctness” or “PC” came to the fore in the west in the 1970s by activists of various causes and politicians at the time.
By Manny de Freitas
The term “political correctness” or “PC” came to the fore in the west in the 1970s by activists of various causes and politicians at the time. This term, as well as others, such as “ideological correctness” and “towing the line” was borrowed from Chinese Communist Party texts.
As political correctness grew, so did the “language police” and challenge of social norms, which until then, was considered acceptable.
For example, suddenly, in some circles, it is considered sexist to open a door for a lady. No longer was this considered polite and respectful to women. As these attitudes started to be more widespread, other perspectives were added. To use the same example, the action of opening the door to the fairer gender, became to be considered a reflection of a patriarchal society.
Respecting the fact that the two genders (yes, there are only two genders!) are very different, that they complement each other, and that each should be treated differently, has become very “politically incorrect”.
So-called modern feminists wanted women to be treated equally as men, when in fact original feminism advanced the equity of the two genders and not equality. To explain the difference; equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. This is why, for example, most bricklayers are overwhelmingly men while most stay-at-home parents are women. This is not because one gender is superior to the other, but rather that generally each has innate characteristics that complement each other, and are not be in competition with each other.
Political correctness, unlike the original intention, become twisted. These intentions started to have the very opposite of what was originally intended.
The backlash in this regard began in the US in the early 1990s when intellectuals began to use “political correctness” to criticise others and suppress dissenting opinion.
In universities, more traditional subjects are being replaced by others dealing with feminism, gender studies, queer politics, post-colonial history and so on. Suddenly certain topics of study were “off-limits”. Self-censorship started to permeate throughout society.
Soon “political correctness” was being used as a pejorative. In the UK, the Daily Mail began a campaign against “political correctness gone mad” with stories about ordinary people prevented from flying their country’s flags or schools or banning musical chairs because it encouraged aggression.
However, political correctness must not be confused with what is right and just. Nowadays even homophobes use their objection to homosexuality as “free speech” claiming that they are in fact politically correct. Any type of prejudice, whether homophobia, racism, sexism etc must be opposed but, in my opinion, that doesn’t mean that these bigots shouldn’t be given a platform. Quite the opposite, actually.
In the age of X (previously Twitter) and other social media platforms there are disturbing examples of people who have been set upon for quite minor infractions. Justine Sacco was publicly shamed and then fired for tweeting to her followers a joke about AIDS as she boarded a plane to Africa.
As distasteful as such a tweet may be, that gives no one the right to “cancel” her or anyone. So, what if you and I get offended? (That’s exclusively my business and no one else’s). As a result, a PC mentality has developed, and it turns with particular ferocity on anyone who questions presumptions or “offensive” language.
In 2012 the Centre for Independent Studies published a booklet titled “You Can’t Say That!” Janet Albrechtsen complained that “the PC virus has infected so much of what we do, what we read, how we live, how we think” and demanded the “right to offend”. Some people, she opined, feel intimidated about expressing their opinions because they fear censure or “cancellation” from the “thought police”. It is scary that now there are parts of the world, such as Canada and Scotland that have thought police legislation.
As a result, the PC commitment to multiculturalism became a campaign against all forms of tradition. In western societies like ours, a rounded education includes exposure to various religious and cultural traditions and norms, as well as an uncensored account of history and the lessons we learn from them, no matter how uncomfortable.
The French writer and philosopher, Voltaire famously said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Although I agree with this, the right to free speech stops when you violate the other person’s freedoms of expression.
However, being PC doesn’t mean that I care about your feelings; we all get offended, which is part of being human. Just like an injured leg is painful to you, if you tell me about it, it is simply information that you are imparting, but really has nothing to do with me.
So, if you tell me that you now identify as another gender or even animal, as crazy as it is to me, you have a right to express such illogical proclamations. As much as I think you are quite mad, I will defend your right to express yourself in that manner, but you can’t demand that I go along and agree with you. In fact, I have the equal right to express my diametrically opposite opinion and
you too should be defending the right to expressing perspective.
This means that I will not participate in something I disagree with, including calling you by a particular pronoun. You can call yourself whatever you want but don’t expect me to participate in it. Be ready to be offended, because it’s none of my business and I don’t care.
