Political Correctness is Destroying this Country
by Jane on Oct.16, 2009, under Uncategorized
When I initially hired my business partner as an associate I knew she was a lesbian. It played no role, positive or negative in my decision. I liked her and thought she had the makings of a great lawyer. I was right.
We quickly became great friends. And given my personality, no subject was off the table. I was pretty sure she wasn’t likely to sue me for crossing the line of political correctness, which I do regularly and always have.
I was raised to believe that “differences are the most interesting thing in the world” and I still believe that. That’s why my best friend in college (a Chinese woman) and I spent hours in front of the mirror examining just how our eyes were different (I have an extra fold). It’s the same reason why, as a kid, I visited every church I could, to see the differences. And yes, as a kid I laughed at my second grade teacher’s wedding when the clergy started to talk in Greek. It sure sounded funny to seven year old me. It’s also the reason why, in the early ’60’s when they circulated a petition in my neighborhood in favor of having a popular black teacher move in, I asked my mother why on earth he needed a petition. Nothing seemed more stupid to me at the time.
For me, meeting someone who is different – in color, in heritage, in orientation or age or anything else always meant I had a huge opportunity to learn new stuff. It certainly isn’t beyond me to ask someone “what’s the best/worst thing about being blind?”, or “do you think this town is racist?, or “how does it feel to grow old?”
Inevitably, the answers bring me closer to the person I asked the question of. Questions, break down barriers. And people seem to like to talk about the things that for so many are off limits.
Not long after Amy and I started working together, we decided to go on a diet together, thinking that there was power in numbers. In our typical morning pre-work bull session, she mentioned that she had gone off the diet the night before. My reply: “You are just a tubbo lesbo”.
Her reply: “Well you are just a tubbo hetero”.
At that point I knew our trust in each other was complete.
We could actually laugh at ourselves and each other regardless of our differences. We were on the same side.
Over the years the proponents of political correctness have undoubtedly meant well. But they have served to push us apart instead of together. They have demanded that the curiosity that blurs the lines be replaced with thicker lines. And then the thicker lines get replaced by lawsuits, and hate crimes legislation.
In today’s liberal world differences are things to be ignored not explored. The things that could bring us together in understanding now keep us apart out of fear of offending. It’s time to put political correctness, out of vogue.
October 16th, 2009 on 3:28 pm
Jane, I am deeply impressed that your attention span lasted long enough to write this great piece. I guess it is because of the passion, and I salute you!
October 16th, 2009 on 3:58 pm
Excellent diagnosis, Jane. Caro may know more about your attention span, but I find your focus *sharp*.
October 16th, 2009 on 3:29 pm
Hey, quilts!
October 16th, 2009 on 8:03 pm
Excellent Jane,
In my business I wind up being paired for an extended period of time with an individual. It allows me the opportunity for a relationship (if we both choose to pursue it) much like your’s and Amy’s. My trip last week was with an extremely sharp, very handsome, very well read, excellent black pilot. He had purposely bumped someone else off the trip so that he could fly with me, which was gratifying to me as we’ve flown before. We spent 2 days knocking around Japan, and unapologetically discussing Racism; The Japanese version, the American Black/White version, and the European White girl/Black male version. I won’t go on longer about the particulars of what we did, but we actually wound up doing small experiements, what with the Japanese locals and the Euro Flight attendants, in selectively choosing an instant to interact with them, and them almost immediately afterward I would do the same interaction or vice versa, and seeing if there was an immediate difference in reaction from our chosen target, and if so what. We did not offend, tho’ we did push the personal boundary’s a tad. Let me simply say that it was fascinating, but probably the most fun was the Irish Bartender spouting exactly what my friends political opinions had to be simply because of the melanin in his skin. My friend acquitted himself wonderfully well, and left the Irishman wondering how come his CNN strawman view of the world didn’t comply with what he’d just witnessed. Whom to trust—CNN stereotypes, or one’s own eye’s and ears? Anyhow, glad you’ve started this anti-PC crusade. Am with you.
October 17th, 2009 on 6:18 am
Daddy,
That’s fabulous. Was there a difference in reaction by the locals?
Right after I finish the You Too campaign, my next mission is to go to war with political correctness. I’ve had it.
October 17th, 2009 on 6:19 am
Hey Frau! How are you?
Caro has it right. I have the attention span of a gnat. However sometimes, sitting at my desk when I should be working, I can be diverted!
October 17th, 2009 on 7:01 am
Excellent, Jane! You’re a beacon in the long night of liberal tyranny. I would quibble with you on one point, though, cynic that I am:
“Over the years the proponents of political correctness have undoubtedly meant well. But they have served to push us apart instead of together.”
I’m not so sure they mean well. Dealing with people as groups, usually victim groups, instead of as individuals is a political strategy not an act of compassion. It’s more blatant than ever under our post-racial president. And when you throw hate crimes and lawsuits into the mix, you’re going to have people making money on political correctness. That makes it difficult to put it out of vogue.
But not impossible!
October 18th, 2009 on 9:56 pm
Well, I lost my first comment–I will try to remember…I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts! I am so glad to know you in this ethernet world==you are one smart and busy lady! I try hard to keep certain adjectives and adverbs out of my speech around Colin-like-fat, black, white, old..His autism is a blessing in certain ways–he sees things more objectively and fairly, I believe. I hope his goodness does not get him hurt, but there are a lot of idiots in this world. So, into the fray we go-always, hoping for the best! Keep talking, girl!
All the best,
Glenda W
October 19th, 2009 on 7:36 am
Jane: First, do me a favor and define what you mean by “political correctness”. At this point, I have no idea to what people are referring when they use that term.
Second, I’m not clear on how how *anything* is destroying this country. Near as I can tell, for all our countless flaws, crimes, and general things I can bitch about, there is no time in this country’s history that I would rather inhabit than this one. There are more people with more freedom and more opportunity than in any other era.
Jane: “In today’s liberal world differences are things to be ignored not explored.”
I don’t know where this “liberal world” is, but I’m pretty sure the rules there are the same as they were between you and Amy… once you’ve earned someone’s trust and respect, you can say all kinds of things that would be considered rude or offensive otherwise.
Or put another way… try walking up to a random stranger on the street, call her a “tubbo lesbo”, and wait to see if she embraces your bold exploration of personal differences.