Political Correctness, Have We Gone Too Far?

A movement has arisen to altering, or avoidance, of certain words, expressions, and actions as not to offend disadvantaged members of particular groups in society. This perfection crusade has 76% of Canadians feeling that political correctness has gone too far. Though the term “Political Correctness” first appeared in a U.S. Supreme Court judgment of a political lawsuit in 1793, it actually began to gain momentum in North America with the Feminist Movement in the 1970’s. Our policemen became police officers, postman became letter carriers, and mankind is now humankind.

In a recent Edmonton town hall meeting, Justin Trudeau interjected, jokingly, a woman asking about changing legislation policies for religious charitable organizations, because maternal love is the love that’s going to change the future of mankind, with “—We like to say ‘peoplekind,’ not necessarily mankind, because it’s more inclusive.” Although the audience enjoyed the humor reacting with laughter, it was taking out of context with the international media. It seems that you can’t say anything without some group blowing it out of proportion.

In May 1991, at a commencement ceremony for a graduating class of the University of Michigan, the then U.S. President George H.W. Bush in the speech stated that although the Political Correctness Movement arises from the laudable desire to sweep away the debris of racism, sexism, and hatred, it replaces old prejudice with new ones. It declares certain topics, expression, and even certain gestures off-limits. Studies have shown that 71 percent of Americans saying political correctness has muzzled discussions that society needs to have and also 58 percent are afraid to share their political views to avoid persecution, according to researcher Dr. Emily Ekins.

I Offend You?

What does it feel like to be so weak
that mere words hurt you?

It turns out that two-thirds of Canadians overwhelmingly say that too many people are easily offended by the language others use. The majority of Canadians though, are sympathetic to avoid accusations of racism or bullying and then act in a way they may not like to in order to be polite. Four-in-five Canadians feel that you just shouldn’t express in front of people you don’t know certain opinions. Political correctness has even affected those instigating political correctness, with 57% of them leaving resentment that they are now unable to say whatever they want.

Many sports teams, including the Edmonton Eskimos, are being ridiculed to change their so-called offensive names. I feel that these names or not really offensive, but more of tribute to the cause. Teams names are usually derived from the views of the people of the period the teams were developed in, with the connotation of strength and a force to be reckoned with. When I think of an Eskimo, I envision a resourceful race that knows how to survive in a harsh frozen environment. The name Eskimos has been used for several Edmonton teams since 1903 with such teams as the Edmonton Eskimos baseball team in 1909, the football Eskimos in 1910, and Edmonton Eskimos hockey team in 1911. Even today, many hearing Edmonton Eskimos don’t think of the Native American mascot controversy, but of a resourceful northern Alberta football team.

 Even the Canadian National Anthem isn’t immune, our English version just became gender neutral.  Our anthem first was written in French in 1880 and the most popular English version didn’t appear until 1908. The English translation is quite different than the French version and the original 3^rd line True patriot love in all of our sons command recently changed to True patriot love in all of us command. This phrase originally was "True patriot love dost in us command" and was changed in 1914. If we want our national anthem to be totally gender neutral the many male references, he and him, in the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th verses in the unmodified French version also should be politically correct.

With all this politically correctness, what will be next? Calgary’s iconic Family of Man? Initially called the Brotherhood of Mankind, this arrangement of sculptures reflects raceless, bare and expressionless human women, men and children extending their hands in a gesture of goodwill and fellowship already went through the process of becoming politically correct. To be politically correct we should probably rename it to Family of Homo Sapiens, and while we are at it, give these naked statues clothing.

People need to toughen up and not take things so literally and not be offended by how others express themselves. I came across this image of a Viking saying “I offend You? What does it feel like to be so weak that mere words hurt you?” says it all. The majority of Canadians are polite and avoid speaking confrontationally, but each generation has its own words or phrases that have different meanings today than in the past.

Gay, for instance, in the 1920’s & 1930’s meant being happy and joyful, in the ‘70’s to the end of the century you were a homosexual. In the 21^st Century, this pleasurable word has become offensive to the LGBT community. We shouldn’t let a few oversensitive individuals dictate the way we express ourselves and prevent us from saying what we mean. I believe in a certain amount of political correctness, however, when it interferes with my freedom of speech, I feel offended. Join the Movement and stop over excessive political correctness.