A Case of Mistaken Identity

Most of us have heard the term “PC”, which – if you didn’t know - is an abbreviation for ‘politically correct’.  But what does it really mean?  A little history is in order here. 

The term actually goes back at least as far as the 18^th century when it was used to mean ”being in line with prevailing political thought or policy.”  James Wilson, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States was quoted to have said, "The states, rather than the people, for whose sake the states exist, are frequently the objects which attract and arrest our principal attention... Sentiments and expressions of this inaccurate kind prevail in our common, even in our convivial, language... ‘The United States,’ instead of the ‘People of the United States,’ is the toast given. This is not politically correct."  So, as we can see, “PC” is really nothing new.  It’s the damage we have done to the term that is new.

In the 1990’s, the meaning was twisted to mean that certain things were “off limits” to say, such as bigoted comments against minorities and women.  It is said more as tongue in cheek and with contempt against “liberal thinking.”  To be “politically correct” has become…. a bad thing!  And it is because we think conformity and good manners are “liberal” behavior. 

The use of certain words in public forums (i.e. the “f”, “c” and “p” words) to what we wear when we are out and about (cleavage over flowing from a deliberately too tight shirt or pants half way down to the ankles with underwear visible) to how we act (rowdy, vulgar, ignorant behavior) is in direct defiance to the overuse - and misuse - of the term.  It is, indeed, shock therapy!  We’ve become desensitized to good manners and proper conduct just so we can show we are not “politically correct.”  And for those of us that are not desensitized to a higher code of conduct, we’ve often times become lax about how to handle situations where we are made to feel uncomfortable.

This past Friday, as Rick Santorum wound his way around the country looking for votes, he could be found at a gun range in Louisiana.   While he was emptying a few rounds into a target, a woman is heard saying, “Pretend it is Obama.” (You can view this at http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/as-santorum-fires-gun-woman-shouts-pretend-its-obama/). There are a few things wrong with what is said but I will try and restrict my thoughts to the actions of those after she makes her comment.  What is interesting is the laughter that is caught in the video after this ‘lady’ (and I use that term VERY loosely) makes her snide and careless remark.  No one dares to admonish her for the comment for fear of being – you guessed it – politically correct.  I am sure there were those that didn’t appreciate it.  But rather then speak up, people sit back and say nothing. 

If we have truly come to view “political correctness” as using simple good manners and common courtesy then we have an out of control problem on our hands.  In mixed company, you do not say certain things or tell certain jokes or speak of certain subjects.  For example, there are words I would not say in front of my mother (yeah, I’m old fashioned that way) merely out of respect.  We have gone too far to think that being respectful of our surroundings, the use of good manners in polite company along with some conformity to proper behavior is taboo. 

It is high time that we put PC back on the political spectrum and raise our personal standards.  There is nothing wrong with being a decent human being, behaving orderly and being kind and respectful.  We don’t have to use ‘shock therapy’ to get attention and show that we aren’t “PC.”  In other words, it is time to grow up and act like adults and get over this “no holds bar” rebellious mentality.  We are either eager to truly be a higher life form or we are doomed to be Neanderthals.  We have a choice to make.  What is yours?