Politically Correct
By Anne Koutsoutis
Political correctness (PC) first received widespread publicity in the media in the 1970’s when the National Organization for Women (NOW) proposed such language revisions as “chair” or “chairperson” instead of “chairman.”
The aim of the movement was to suppress thoughts or statements deemed offensive, prejudicial or stereotypical – anything that might intimidate people or make them feel uneasy. The original intent of the PC movement, being polite to others and promoting tolerance and diversity were good and honorable. Fifty-two years later the proponents of PC still argue that PC is needed to recognize tolerance and equality in a multi-cultural society.
Instead of tolerance and equality, the PC movement has created a powerful social code that members of society have to follow in order to succeed and to be approved. It is a rigid orthodoxy precludes the acceptability of an opposing opinion. Anyone who raises a contrary view must be “ignored, shunned, denounced, attacked or silenced.” PC is inconsistent with free political life. It insists on rigid ideological conformity and makes discussion of fundamental issues and thus self- government impossible by forbidding even language used to discuss good and bad. It does not give us freedom; it gives us a soul-destroying tyranny. Entrepreneur David Sacks praised the takeover of Twitter by Elon Musk, calling it a “Berlin Wall Moment.” He called it “capitalism’s self-correcting mechanism” where somebody can push back against the “galloping wave of censorship” silencing people by the simple process of “de-platforming” anyone with contrary views.
America needs a “Berlin Wall Moment.” Let’s hope the wall of censorship does begin to crack.
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Anne Koutsoutis is a Member and former Vice Chair of the Montgomery County, MD Republican Party Central Committee. She is also the President of the Chevy Chase Women's Republican Club.