Political Correctness Is Essential to Productive Debate

Beginning in the late 80s and early 90s, the United States saw a spike in controversy over political correctness and “PC culture.” However, political correctness has existed as a concept throughout all of American history. This controversy has become not only a hot topic for this year’s election cycle, but has also turned into a bona fide, polarizing political issue. Political correctness is important to understand and essential in facilitating civilized debate. It is paramount that we respect those who are different from us in order to have productive discussion.

In order to adequately explore political correctness, we must first understand its definition. This seemingly simple task has emerged to some degree as the cause of much discourse. The concept of being “politically correct” has developed and evolved over time. President Lyndon B. Johnson demonstrated a literal definition of ‘politically correct’ in 1964: “I’m here to tell you that we are going to do those things which need to be done, not because they are politically correct, but because they are right.” In this case, the term is used to describe political actions that are politically advisable. After that, the definition took a new turn in the 80s, to mean using specific language intentionally to avoid the offense of a group or class of people, particularly in the realm of academia. However, the inclusivity of this definition shifted in the 90s to introduce a new controversy: that political correctness was a violation of our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech.

Now, nearly 30 years later, this animosity towards political correctness has erupted. It has evolved to mean mainly two different things: 1) intentionally using language that is inclusive of minority and oppressed groups in order to avoid offense and 2) using ‘political correctness’ as an excuse to avoid political conflict in cowardice or caution. This definition has expanded far beyond the realm of academia and has permeated this election cycle and into every single aspect of politics. According to Kaitlin Gibson, a writer for the Washington Post, it has developed into a “catch-all synonym for liberal cowardice or caution — whatever it is that’s keeping America from being great, or something.”

This multi-dimensional understanding of political correctness is often a cause for the miscommunications that occur throughout vigorous debate. This miscommunication should be erased. The Cambridge English Dictionary definition of political correctness is “avoiding language or behavior that any particular group of people might feel is unkind or offensive.” This is also the definition used by Merriam-Webster, the Pew Research Center, and the definition to which I personally subscribe. Politically correct is a synonym for respect — something that all people, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, beliefs, or abilities should be afforded. However, it is important to remember that in discussing political correctness, not everyone will share this definition. In fact, it is essential that we understand the conservative definition so that we may understand why they believe that our PC culture is a problem.

In modern day America, political correctness is as much a polarizing political issue as it is a simple term. The more Conservative definition of political correctness indicates a blatant prejudice against Liberals, as it accuses Liberals of using political correctness as an excuse to avoid a problem. Similarly, the Liberal definition of political correctness has a bias against Conservatives and sometimes claims that they ignore politically correct language in order to reject an idea or characteristic that they disagree with. The diagram below, produced by the Pew Research Center, clearly shows the distinction between the Liberal and Conservative viewpoint on political correctness:

There is a fine line between a speaker being insensitive and a receiver being too sensitive. According to this diagram, 59% of those surveyed believe that too many people are easily offended over language. The latter 39% believe that people should be more careful of offending people with their language. More specifically, 78% of those surveyed who were Republican believe that people are too sensitive. Conversely, 61% of Democrats believe that people should be more sensitive with their language. This information clearly demonstrates the stark contrast between Conservatives and Liberals views on political correctness in our country.

But rather than a purely ideological dispute, much of the controversy in regard to PC culture stems from that aforementioned distinction. It is this difference of definition that entirely alters the discussion. When people are in support of political correctness, they believe that people should be more respectful in their use of language. When people disagree with political correctness, they believe that it is a cop-out answer to a serious political problem or they are being oversensitive and should develop thicker skin. Regardless, it deflects responsibility onto the offended, rather than the one doing the offending.

I propose that we dispel the notion that political correctness is a cheap trick used by Liberals to avoid serious discussion. This belief is what actually stifles debate. Using this blanket claim that Liberals avoid conflict by crying political correctness is in reality a tool used by people to avoid inclusivity. Instead of acknowledging differences in race, sex, and religion that may be different from your own beliefs, they are excluding them for the realms of respect that they afford to members of their own majority groups. These negative and offensive words lead to negative emotional responses. Words lead to actions. Actions lead to change. Negative words lead to negative change.

I propose that we embrace the definition of political correctness that encourages us to be mindful of our words so as not to offend other people. By embracing this definition, we will actually further our capacity for debate. Using respectful language to describe those who are in minority and oppressed groups will lead to more inclusion of these groups in our thoughts and discussions. We will be able to have calm, careful, and thoughtful debates that lead to positive change. If we are mindful of others’ feelings, than they will respond optimistically and openly.

Language is powerful, more powerful than we know. Words lead to actions and actions lead to change. If we communicate with positive, respectful words, then those with whom we are debating will be more open, responsive, and welcoming to outside opinions. They will be more receptive to having their mind changed and their opinion challenged. Positive language will promote positive change.

Read a response to this article by Morgan Markwood.