Political correctness is not about free speech, it is about respect.
Tensions have been rising between those who argue for political correctness and those who decry it in the name of free speech. Arguments, anger, protests and counter-protests rage on, each side arguing vehemently for their point of view. It has been an issue on our own campus. Back in September, infamous alt-right speaker Ben Shapiro visited the University of Utah for a speech entitled “Trigger Warning.” The speech triggered a massive protest against his ideologies and presence on the campus. As protesters marched across the U grounds, hordes of counter-protesters stood on the sidelines to fight back in favor of free speech, yelling counter-arguments and holding signs that declared their rights.
Free speech is a constitutionally protected right. You are given the right to say whatever you want in our country, even if it is offensive or crude. When people ask you to use politically correct speech, they are not trying to take away your rights. They are asking for your respect. The request for you to try and be more politically correct does not halt free speech in any way because it has no legal backing. If you choose to say things that are hateful or disrespectful, no one can do anything about it. Nothing will happen to you. The government cannot (and will not) do anything. You cannot be arrested for it. You cannot be forced to use politically correct speech.
When people ask you to use a phrase, correct pronoun or proper term, they are asking you to respect them. By choosing not to use this language, you are essentially telling them that you refuse to do that. You are invalidating the hardships they have been through and displaying a lack of empathy for your fellow humans and their emotions.
Some people argue political correctness hinders the discussion of difficult topics. They say the fear of offending someone and eliciting an angry or aggressive response prevents conversations about things like race or gender issues from happening. At some level I agree. There are people who have not yet become educated on topics of social justice and simply do not know the significance, power or hurtfulness of what they are saying. They do not understand and the only way to help them understand is through conversation. You must be patient while they learn.
We are losing empathy, and this is a problem. In this time of turmoil, we forget that our fellow human beings deserve the same amount of respect that we do. The golden rule: Treat others like you would like to be treated. During these difficult discussions, if someone asks you to use a different term or explains why a certain action may be problematic, pay attention to what they say. Take the opportunity to learn from it and improve. Learn to be more understanding and more loving. If another person tells you that you hurt them or that you are being disrespectful, it is your job to listen and react with kindness, not hatred.
@TheChrony
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. • Feb 20, 2018 at 6:27 pm
Another term for political correctness is simply being considerate of others.
The real irony is when alt-right advocates want to stifle politically correct speech in the name of free speech. I’m sorry, but just because you are resentful that you receive criticism when you say fa**ot, does not mean you can stop people from criticizing you for saying “fa**ot”. Alt-right people have the right to call people fa**ots, and I have the right to criticize them for their obtuse choice of language. No one is getting arrested, so stop whining.
Besides, I thought conservatives were all about letting natural social evolution create change, rather than legally imposed laws. If that is the case, then social criticism (political correctness), is exactly what we need to naturally reinforce civil behavior.
Free Speech Matters • Feb 19, 2018 at 3:24 pm
Let Richard Spencer speak on campus. All the groups like YAL, YAF, Turning Point USA, and the College Republicans won’t sponsor him to come speak because they don’t actually support free speech.
Vinny • Feb 19, 2018 at 2:06 pm
I agree that all human beings are entitled to kindness and some level of respect no matter their race, sex, orientation, religion ect. I think the same should go for Ben Shapiro. Ben is not an “Alt Right Speaker” he is simply a conservative who says things that people don’t like. You can show people like him respect by getting your facts right.
Volk • Feb 19, 2018 at 6:08 am
It is about respect, totally. 100%. In particular, it’s about the complete lack of respect that the left has for white people. It’s not even lack of respect, it is an overt hatred. Leftists hate white people. White people are finally starting to understand that and they are getting organized to fight back.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. • Feb 20, 2018 at 6:30 pm
I’m a leftist white person and this is BS.
Ahsan • Feb 18, 2018 at 2:42 pm
So much irony here. You say its not about free speech, its about respect, then you go on to disrespectfully characterize Ben shapiro as an alt-righter, when if you’ve done even a bit of research on him, you’d know that not only does he hate the alt-right, but was also the number one target of online abuse by the alt-right in 2016.
Respect goes both ways. you can’t ask for respect but then go on and mischaracterize someone who disagrees with you. that’s disrespectful.