The term "political correctness" has been around just about as long as I have been around in the communication business. "Political correctness" became a pejorative term in about 1991. I went to work at Ragan Communications in 1992, during a time when Bill Bennett, Bill Safire and Bills everywhere had identified "P.C." as the great American bogey person.
I've been conflicted about the term ever since. After about a quarter century, as we seem to be talking about it a lot again for some reason, I think I've figured it out.
As a person, it sucks that you can't just express your anger every time you are contradicted or confused, and have every one of your friends and enemies say, "Hellz to the yeah!"
And as a writer, you want to believe there's a good reason you haven't yet written a mind-blowing manifesto based on the ideas already in your head that has changed a nation's thinking on war and peace and love and race.
It's nice to think that the reason you haven't shaken the world is that what you'd like to say is simply "politically incorrect."
Much more likely, the problem is that what you want to say is: simplistic, dumb, insensitive, rude, mean, irrelevant, unoriginal, unhelpful or all of the above.
How do I know this? Imagine if what you were saying was brilliant, thoughtful, tactful, genuinely insightful and constructive on the crucial issues of our time. Do you think it could be dismissed as "politically incorrect"?
Try us.
Joan H. says
I think that many of us are frustrated with political correctness because it’s being used as a bizarre 1984ish means to shame anyone who doesn’t buy into the bandwagon of the day. Any outré mindset randomly grabbed and waved as a righteous cause picks up hordes who apparently have no better use of their time than to trod on anyone bold enough to point out the unclothed emperor. I am among those frustrated but without energy for or hope of success for a quieter, more rational perspective to prevail. I don’t think that’s the same as the conclusion you’ve drawn.
David Murray says
See, I don’t think that’s right, Joan. I think it’s a cop-out. What outre mindset do you mean? To what hordes do you refer? What IS the bandwagon of the day? Honestly, I don’t know what you mean, and your harrumphing about “political correctness” in general just makes my point for me (again). (I think.)
Joan H. says
Okay, here’s an example. Gender fluid. Say out loud that I don’t care what you’re doing about your gender confusion as long as you don’t expect me to pretend I think that’s anything but your personal issue, and wait to be bashed. It isn’t worth my time. And if you want to feel righteous about political correctness and my character flaws for not feeling like fighting that unwinnable battle, then believe of me what you will– I’m lazy, lack the ability to make coherent argument, whatever you choose. I take exception to being dismissed as “harrumphing” but maybe you didn’t expect any responses to this post. I’ll stay out of it.
David Murray says
But wait, Joan. I didn’t dismiss you as harrumphing, I accused you of it. And what you’re doing still sounds like it. Here’s how I read it:
These gender-confused people. I wish they’d just shut up about it, so I don’t have to hear it. But of course I can’t even say that out loud, because somebody will call me a horse’s ass and I don’t give enough of a fuck to explain myself. I’ll never make these bastards see that the sensible point of view toward the gender-confused is the same view we have of three-year-olds throwing tantrums: Ignore them, because all they want is attention.
Even though lots of people will agree with my view on this, the ones who don’t will be noisy about it.
So rather than call my opinion “unpopular,” “controversial,” “provocative” or maybe just “thoughtless,” I’ll label it “politically incorrect,” and by doing so rhetorically characterize all my opponents as prissy, priggish, finger-wagging know-it-alls.
And though I won’t defend my “politically correct” opinions one by one, I will by God defend my right to be “politically incorrect.”
Now if that doesn’t sound like “harrumph,” Joan, then nothing does.
Jens says
The best rhetorical harrumph-analysis I have read this year. And I learned a new word. Nice!
David Murray says
Every day’s a school day here at Writing Boots, Jens.