Dear Griffin,I am glad that you took the time to learn about feminism and use your privilege to promote its ideas. I also think its good for people in positions of power to ask marginalized groups about the challenges they face in order to form a more empathetic worldview. However, your op-ed sees political correctness as an obstruction to education as though by being politically correct, we cannot understand people who are different from us. I believe your view on this matter is inconsiderate at best and destructive at worst.
Political correctness is not a means of degrading people of your social status. It is a basic component of the respectful discourse you appear to advocate. It also has nothing to do with you being called out for mansplaining. Having seen some of your Facebook posts, I believe that you were actually being a helpful ally in the way you approached the prompt why we need feminism. However, your response to women being upset should not have been to quit publicly advocating for womens rights. It should have been to continue a conversation with them about why they, the people whose rights you claim to value, feel patronized. Maybe you would have learned something from them, or maybe they would have seen that you are helping their cause.
Ignoring political correctness is dangerous. It means ignoring the history that contributes to oppression today. For years, marginalized groups have been forced to conform to the language and etiquette that make those in power comfortable. Black Americans were told to address white people using Yes maam/sir for years while they were not treated with the same dignity. Just because your safety doesnt depend on using culturally correct language, it doesnt make it any less important that you use the right terms for others.Richard Wright, who was once beaten for forgetting to address a white man as sir, said, I had to keep remembering what others took for granted; I had to think out what others felt. You may believe that you are doing your best to think out what others feel, but you have misidentified what the real implications of your words are. Your friend was appalled by your comment about they/them/their pronouns because it wasnt a respectful inquiry into genderqueer identity, but rather a thoughtless comment that does not consider the challenges faced by the trans community. Sure its grammatically incorrect to use plural words to refer to one individual, but that linguistic issue pales in comparison to the fight for recognition that trans people face.
A better way to voice your discomfort around pronouns would be to ask, Why do certain people use they/them/their when its not proper grammar? or to look it up on the thousands of great websites specifically created to educate the public. Otherwise, you risk being one of countless examples of cis, white, straight, upperclass men valuing their comfort over a marginalized persons struggle for equality.
I understand that your feelings were hurt, and yes, it is important to treat one another with kindness and respect. Attacking people for lacking knowledge about an issue is not only ineffective, but disrespectful. However, disregarding political correctness does nothing to advance social justice conversations. It actually damages them. This isnt part of some mass liberal agenda. Its part of human rights, specifically the right to live outside the shadow of oppression.
I dont believe your identity devalues your thoughts about gender or any other matter, as that would run counter to the ideals of equality and free speech. However, it should give you reason to think about how your ideas will be received, in contrast to those held by marginalized people. You say youve left a conversation about gender feeling scorned and uneducated, but youve probably never left one feeling unloved by your family, as so many trans people have.
Youre right we should talk about what makes us different. These are tough conversations and feelings will get hurt, but maybe you can put aside your guilt long enough to realize that, when it comes to advancing social justice, we need to be listening to the grievances of oppressed peoples first and our own discomfort second.
I think we owe our fellow humans that much.
Sincerely,
Vahni KurraA fellow human
Vahni Kurra 20 is undeclared from Columbus, Ohio. Contact her at kurra1@kenyon.edu.
More here:
- 19 Shocking Examples Of How Political Correctness Is ... [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Political Correctness / Cultural Marxism - Discover the ... [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- The origin and nature of political correctness (26/11/2015) [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- The Origins of Political Correctness - Accuracy In Academia [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Political Correctness - Blogs - Jerusalem Post [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- Political correctness - the awful truth [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- 20 Outrageous Examples That Show How Political Correctness ... [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- Political correctness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- Political correctness Archives | Human Stupidity ... [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- Political correctness Archives | Human Stupidity ... [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2016]
- Political correctness - Simple English Wikipedia, the free ... [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- How to Be Politically Correct (with Pictures) - wikiHow [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2016]
- Urban Dictionary: political correctness [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2016]
- Political Correctness = Language and Thought Control ... [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2016]
- Political Correctness = Language and Thought Control - The ... [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2016]
- Political correctness - Uncyclopedia - Wikia [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- political correctness - The American Prospect [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Political correctness | The Economist [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2016]
- The Phony Debate About Political Correctness - ThinkProgress [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2016]
- Political correctness - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Political Correctness Watch [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2016]
- Political correctness: how the right invented a phantom ... [Last Updated On: December 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 4th, 2016]
- Political Correctness Gone Mad - TV Tropes [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2016]
- The Origins of Political Correctness - academia.org [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- Letter: A guide to political correctness - Carroll County Times [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Sports: America's Great Escape from Political Correctness - American Spectator [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Letter: Political correctness has gone too far - The Herald-News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Boy Scouts ruined by political correctness: Your Say - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Spicer says 'political correctness' infringes on 'freedom of religion' - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Spicer Says Religious Liberty Is Getting 'Pushed Out' By Political Correctness - TPM [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Trump's right-wing political correctness makes us less safe - Daily Kos - Daily Kos [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Political correctness exists to build respect for the oppressed - Kenyon Collegian [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Fixing political correctness - The Stanford Daily [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Authoritarian political correctness - Dailyuw [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Letter: Political correctness is akin to golden rule - The Buffalo News - Buffalo News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- We must take a wrecking ball to political correctness to achieve our true economic potential - City A.M. [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Slamming 'political correctness,' Casper scraps recycling program ... - Casper Star-Tribune Online [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Too PC? - Two Views on Political Correctness - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Political correctness is life and death on a hilarious It's Always Sunny - A.V. Club [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Pro-Trump priest casts political correctness aside and creates quite ... - BizPac Review [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Foregoing Political Correctness, The Senate Should Have Let Warren Speak - Daily Caller [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Netflix Boycott Over 'Dear White People' Is Right-Wing Political Correctness in Action - Heat Street [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Trump's Right-wing Political Correctness Makes Us Less Safe - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- When Will They Purge Indian History Of Political Correctness And Teach Us As It Is? - Swarajya [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Editorial: Brown puts political correctness above jobs - Daily Astorian [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Slamming 'political correctness,' Casper scraps recycling program for electronics - Casper Star-Tribune Online [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Letter: Political correctness has endangered our safety | INFORUM - INFORUM [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Letter to the editor: Political correctness has influenced minds - Post Register [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Political Correctness Is An Absolute Must | Time.com [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Political Correctness Propagates Radical Liberalism and Undermines The Truth - Accuracy In Media (blog) [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Words, Tweets and Stones in the "Political Correctness" Wars ... - EconoTimes [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- 'Political correctness' mostly used as epithet - Walton Tribune [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- PewDiePie: Alt-Right Nazi, Victim of Political Correctness, or Just an Idiot? - Reason (blog) [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Political correctness weaponized in face of unpopular opinion - The Vermilion [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- Trevor Phillips: 'Political correctness ushered in the populist wave' - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- Ferguson Political Correctness - The Missourian [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- The folly of political correctness is exposed by one of its high priests ... - The Times (subscription) [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Populist correctness: the new PC culture of Trump's America and Brexit Britain - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Political correctness on a downward spiral - NCC Linked [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Publishers Pen - Political Correctness and Lawlessness: A Rant - Up & Coming Weekly [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Better Education Responsible for Political Correctness - NYU Washington Square News [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Fed up with political correctness - The Rushville Republican [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- The Dark State of Political Correctness - American Spectator [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Thursday February 23, 2017 - Israel Hayom [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Jim Bailey column: Caught up in political correctness - The Herald Bulletin [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Political correctness is to blame for terrorist payout, says Leo McKinstry - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Jones: It's not political correctness, just common decency - Philly.com [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Thursday's best TV: Born Too White; Has Political Correctness Gone ... - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Is There Space For Political Correctness In Fashion? Gucci Says Maybe Not - Refinery29 [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Op-ed: He's just saying what we're all thinking: How political correctness fails us in the age of Trump - The Eagle [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- The Bus Campaign That's Giving UK Political Correctness a Run for ... - CBN News [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- CPAC inadvertently shows logic behind political correctness - UT The Daily Texan [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Despite Rumblings About Political Correctness, the Black Oscar Nominees This Year Deserve All the Accolades - Heat Street [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- The backlash to political correctness was inevitable - Shoreline Beacon [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- EDITORIAL: Political correctness ... and more absurdities | The ... - The Daily Progress [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Political correctness puts end to much loved television characters ... - Starts at 60 [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Political Correctness Hurt the Oscars - WSAU (blog) [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Fox News' Tucker Carlson says 'Moonlight' only won Best Picture because of political correctness - ThinkProgress [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Is political correctness killing US institutions? - Canada Free Press [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- O'Reilly: 'Americans Are Tired of Political Correctness & Left-Wing Totalitarianism' - Fox News Insider [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]