An Incorrect Definition

It’s never been easier to offend somebody. As an American people, we’ve never had to be so cognisant of what we say, so careful of what we do, so correct in who we are. In today’s heavily-recorded and highly-sensitive world, it’s easy to step out of line and hurt somebody’s feelings. As a result, we have learned to watch what we say in public and be careful when speaking about political taboos like racial rights or radical Muslim threats.

For many, the political scene has become unbearable: government issued jargon that does nothing better than dance around a sensitive subject. When speaking about immigration, it’s hard to even tell who government officials are referring to. Nobody wants to call out anyone else for being in a different social class, and politicians are the last to admit that there are differences between black and white populations. Their words are perfectly calculated and wholeheartedly correct. This idea of “political correctness” has become standard in American politics and has now worked its way into everyday life. People have gotten a habit of protecting others’ feelings.

When we are scared to say what needs to be said, we leave a blank page. We create an issue that can’t be fixed because nobody is willing to call out a name. When it becomes a curse to talk about disadvantaged minorities or point out foreign threats, we become unproductive and ineffective. How can we solve problems with illegal citizens if we won’t admit that people regularly cross the Mexican border? Immigrants certainly won’t begin deporting themselves in our lack of speech.

But what we need to say is the truth. It needs to be unbiased, realistic and honest. It shouldn’t slander anybody, but it shouldn’t protect their feelings either. Instead, what we stay should state the facts in plain view. Maybe it upsets or maybe it offends, but it’s the truth.

Political correctness shouldn’t hide this truth. It should promote it. And in order to do this, we have to change our definition of political correctness. Being politically correct shouldn’t mean that we have to sweep anything under the rug. We shouldn’t be afraid to talk about anything. If we can’t talk about it, we can’t fix it. It is our duty as American citizens to be honest with ourselves in confronting these situations. Instead, we should promote justice and truth. We should be well informed and aware of what we say.

This new definition is not an excuse to insult groups who are socially disadvantaged, but rather is a way to give ourselves the advantage by facing our problems head on. We shouldn’t condone any kind of hate crime or public defamation. To do this we have to look at politics objectively. Stereotypes must be thrown out the window and replaced with facts. Generalization becomes careless and useless. This new definition dictates that we forget grudges and abandon the fear that kept us from speaking our minds.

Political correctness should mean that when we speak, we represent the American people. When speaking for those around us, we should be respectful and thorough. We should be honest, straightforward and objective. We should be correct.