by Toby Anders

Created on: August 13, 2010

There is certainly a case to be made that "political correctness" effects or even limits freedom of speech, but to say it “undermines” such a fundamental aspect of our culture would be at least one bridge too far.

Generally lodged against liberal activists, he term "politically correct" is itself a criticism, suggesting Stalinist tendencies. First used by the left as a self-criticism, it was later adopted as a more blunt weapon by the right. Generally an insult, since it describes a distinct mindset, it has come into general usage - not always derisive. 

The main feature commonly associated with this phenomenon is a rather silly use of language. Efforts to re-brand various groups of people more sensitively are imagined to be enforced by self-appointed “word police.” Words are important, and we should consider the ones we use, individually and as a society. But simply swapping out descriptors doesn’t always do much to affect underlying attitudes. We get hung up on the form, and what comes out of our mouths, rather than what’s in our hearts. 

One important fact that’s often lost sight of is that racism, sexism, ageism, and other isms happen; they are part of human nature, which classifies and passes broad judgments. Throughout history, most cultures have entertained their ideas about how “those people” are compared to “the one over there.” One kingdom’s subjects were considered hardworking but dull, while another’s were seen as lazy but highly interesting. Men had their prevailing views on women and vice-versa. The young and the old, the sick and the poor, all had their prevailing stereotypes, expectations, and actual dominant traits.

The tension can also make itself known in ways simply ridiculous.  Case in point is the famous incident involving David Howard, an aide to DC mayor Anthony Williams who, in 1999, used the word “niggardly” in reference to a budget. The obscure synonym for “stingy” triggered a racism complaint, and a befuddled mayor Willams accepted Hwoward’s embarrassed resignation.

Apparently no one consulted a dictionary in this whole weeks-long episode, but the NAACP’s Julian Bond suggested sending a crate of them to the mayor’s office and brilliantly summed up "seems to me the mayor has been niggardly in his judgment on the issue." While never doubting that real and dangerous racism still exists, Mr.

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