Q – What does ‘politically correct’ mean?
Since I was a small child and had to learn English to go to school, I’ve been fascinated by language. It’s so important that people are able to communicate. (No this isn’t about free speech).
But being able to and querying whether or not you should are two separate things. Most people consider farting at the dinner table to be quite rude. (Prolly smelly too!!) We all fart, just may be a bad time to do it if you want people at the table to be ok with you being there. Right? Most people also try not to fart in an elevator.
Language is meant to ease the social functions you have to engage in. It’s also about what group you belong to. Like the difference between Greek, Latin and the other Romantic languages and their mixed dialects (with English usually). And unless there is a baby, toddler or pet in the room, most people don’t talk baby talk. The odd couple do it in their early romance stage. But it’d be a rare person who goes up to the boss, teacher or a stranger, scratches their chin, or pinches their cheeks (either set!), and coos at them…. Right?
So we do get that language is situational and based on your relationship with a person, don’t we? Some people think you can plomp down beside a stranger and tell them all about the difficulty they have with sex or toileting, but it’s not that usual , j/s.
Most people don’t walk up to a stranger and ask them inappropriate questions about their sex life or bathroom habit. Nor do they talk about politics or religion outside their group.
Social media sometimes changes these rules, but not always. You might seek advice for specific things in your health and body functions by using a hashtag. You might chose who can respond or re-blog what you’ve said. And in some sites you can even consider who can view your comments.
These things shape what you feel comfortable saying/sharing in certain spaces or groups. It’s not a lack of freedom so much as it’s about discretion .
Which is where political correctness comes in. My question to myself before I post something is ‘who could see this and be hurt by it?’ (Which is a LOT of the issue I have with people like Jordan Peterson and so does his College). Most people are fine if you say something rude or mean. But there’s that one person who is in crisis and my words could do more to them than hurt their feefees. Then what?
And most people don’t go around calling others names or telling them how to behave. Telling them you want to kill them or they should kill themselves.
You might get some odd or stern looks if you act up. You might get a visit from the police if it’s a huge issue. Like a threat.
So is asking people to show a little compassion or consideration too much? Is it just about having the right to open your gob and mouth off? Or do you enjoy having your nose straight? Maybe even prefer it?
I think humanity have always tried to have some sense of belonging and civility in our social dealings. That does change now and then. We use different language of ownership and kinship. Power often changes how we speak to someone. But power doesn’t always protect us from the consequences of our words. The person we speak to with cruel words still has the option of stepping up and hitting us. It’s not likely to end well for them, but in theory, yes they are able.
Therefore we know that language is dynamic. And it evolves over time, space, situation and relationships.
So what is the fuss when someone asks us not to be rude, or hurt their feelings? Why do you feel you can be mean and face no consequences? Is the only thing that guides you whether what you are saying could land you in jail? Or kicked off a site?
Where is your line in the sand when it comes to how you speak to people?
mspeachierocks 
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