On Political Correctness

     
     I really dislike the phrase “politically correct”.  I come from a family where “politically correct” is almost a bad word.  I have family members who will say offensive, rude things because they hate “political correctness” so much.  I dislike “politically correct” too, but for a different reason.  A few years ago I had a history teacher that I wasn’t super-fond of but she had her moments of wisdom.  She said that politically correct is just another way of saying respectful.  That really got me thinking because, hey, I didn’t like hearing language deemed politically incorrect but why?  
     I still dislike “politically correct” but it is because the language is superficial not because using “politically correct” language is wrong.  Doing something that is considered “politically correct” is not wrong.  The problem is that when you say you’re doing something because it’s “politically correct” what you’re kind of saying—although this may not be what you mean— is that you’re doing what you’re doing just because you don’t want to be looked down on or get into an argument.  When you say you’re doing something because you’re “being respectful” what you are saying is that someone else’s comfort actually matters to you.  ”Politically correct” has selfish connotations, whereas “being respectful” has the connotation of putting others before yourself.  I hope that “being respectful” comes to replace “politically correct” in popularity someday.
     One more difference between "politically correct" and "being respectful" is that PC can be taken too far at times.  Being respectful means respecting others but also yourself.  To me that means that wishing someone a happy *insert the joyous holiday you celebrate here* is perfectly okay.  I don't care if someone wishes me a happy holiday-I-don't-celebrate, because they want to spread their joy and they have no idea that I don't celebrate it.  It means that when I say "Merry Christmas" I'm not saying you must celebrate the same holiday I do, it means that this is a very joyous time for me and I want to spread that cheer.  Also, to me, acting as if gendering words is the worst thing you can do is offensive.  If you don't want your sex specified in your job description, that's fine.  If you want to be a firefighter instead of a firewoman or fireman, that's alright.  But being told I shouldn't specify for myself is offensive to me.  It tells me that I shouldn't celebrate my own womanhood, and that's not acceptable.  This is one more difference between PC and "being respectful" to me, PC means keep your mouth shut discussion is closed.  Being respectful allows for healthy discourse.