Administered mostly through talking heads and the media, political correctness has bled into society as a very dominant and polarizing force. Also known as PC culture, it aims to not offend any particular group in society. Since its mainstream adoption in the 90’s, it has led to the evolution of outrage culture. The two act in unison at times; when someone forgets to be PC, it will elicit a reactionary response.
Promotion of PC culture relies on the basic premise of the golden rule: treating others how one wishes to be treated. This is to ensure individuals are showing others respect in social affairs.
Adherents to PC culture hope that people are willing to consider the feelings of others. There are certain issues, which most people do generally agree on. Such is the case with not calling others rude names. It’s not proper etiquette to ever go up to a random stranger and start insulting them.
Those who oppose PC culture say that it puts limitations on communication and other aspects of society to be unnecessarily amended. This particularly affects debates and conversations, some believe.
“There is a time for caring about people’s feelings,” said senior Holden Rasmussen, “but there’s also a time to care about facts.”
Rasmussen believes the outrage culture we live in tends to halt meaningful arguments on some issues, leading to polarization and demonization for unpopular positions. Those with unpopular positions however, are beginning to form a movement in itself.
“I think what’s more interesting than the outrage culture is the counterculture in it, because there is a whole community speaking frankly and approaching things with logic and reason,” said Rasmussen. “They don’t receive as much attention.”
Others find there to be a middle ground, wherein there should be a discussion of whether PC culture has overstepped what’s necessary or if it’s not been used enough.
“PC culture is useful for a healthy society, but when there’s too much, it oppresses society,” said senior Christian Bianchet.
“When you’re offending people blatantly, that’s malicious behavior, and PC culture remedies it. If it’s a comedy routine, that’s completely different, because that’s a kind of art when it’s stand-up.”
As far as outrage culture is concerned, many agree art of any form, whether it’s music, literature or movies, should not be censored nor suffer from being considered baseless for being vulgar.
“Art should not be censored,” said Bianchet. “There is never a circumstance when it should be allowed, as art is the creative process of a person. It’s not going to always be nice and neat and PC.”
There are merits to the foundations of PC culture, where respect to others is concerned and in dealing with issue of politics. Yet sometimes, in the course of facing issues as a nation, there comes a time when a debate may venture into territory that makes some feel attacked. Either way, it’s clear that political correctness remains a cornerstone of modern culture, for better or worse.
Anthony Campbell // A&E Editor
