December 21, 2007
In today’s society, it has become increasingly popular to be PC — politically correct.
A slight slip of the tongue can easily lead to a multimillion-dollar lawsuit or international headlines (consider Don Imus’ recent verbal gaffe, Virginia Sen. George Allen’s “macaca” slip or that of former Harvard President Larry Summers).
While there is certainly a fine line between that which is outright barbaric and the brutal truth, Americans have become far too quick to chastise those who speak freely, especially politicians.
Political correctness has been converted into a sort of weapon. Today’s politicians wait for an opportunity to twist an opponent’s words and portray them as bigoted or racist.
Part of the reason I consider this a new phenomenon is because the technological advances of the media have made it more possible than ever. Now, almost every word a politician says can be recorded and scrutinized. And the reality is that at some point they’re going to slip up — in fact, it’s almost more frightening when they don’t.
I say this because there’s nothing more unsettling than the political robots we’re faced with today: people who have been conditioned for office since birth, it seems.
The meaningless words politicians spew are a direct result of our PC society. It’s difficult to say anything of substance for fear someone will take offense. It’s even more difficult to have an actual debate because politicians fear (and rightfully so) that in the heat of the moment they’ll slip up and get attacked for it. (The way Mitt Romney did for his referral to Mexican immigrants as “people with funny accents” during the Republican CNN- YouTube debate.)
Politicians’ words have become perfectly calculated formulas for success (or at least appeasement).
I’m not suggesting we completely rid society of all things PC — it’s unquestionable that a certain level of cordiality is necessary.
However, if we continue to fret over every word that raises an eyebrow, politics will cease to be an extension of the general will of the people and will become something that is much more exclusive and elusive. Of course, politicians will continue to appeal to the masses (as is necessary in a democracy); the difference will be political jargon as substantial as pure wind.
