Know what ruffles conservative feathers like virtually nothing else? Political correctness. Having to call sodomites “gay,” having to refer to beaners as “hispanic,” and having to label jail-bait as “an innocent rape victim” is just a huge hassle. You can also read this useful resource to know more about them.
Hell, I’m a liberal and even I roll my eyes at PC nomenclature sometimes.
One related issue we addressed briefly in our most recent episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors is the change that some are pursuing of “Columbus Day” to “Indigenous Peoples Day.” A bit awkward and unwieldy, but I appreciate the sentiment (and it’s less offensive than my initial proposal, “Redskins Day”).
Of course, the prospective change will not sit well with many, especially on the Right. Why mess with tradition? Why not let sleeping dogs be bygones, and all that?
I understand the heel-digging and resistance, but would just offer this simple observation: Until you have walked a mile in the moccasins of those who recoil or clench their fists at the thought of what Columbus did to their people and their land (yes, theirs), you will neither understand their position nor be qualified to speak meaningfully to their plight.
In fact, this can be applied across the board to a host of situations, both political and cultural. As a white man, I don’t know what it is like to feel threatened while walking down the street, work under humiliating circumstances, or be looked upon with suspicion every time I enter a gas station or retail establishment.
So when people who do claim to feel these things relay their experiences, we would do well to just listen and try to understand. As the old saying goes, God gave us two ears but only one mouth, so we should use them proportionately.
Have a listen, the discussion begins at around the 1:31:00 mark. . . .
Zrim
The right has been pretty successful at defining political correctness as “whatever the left thinks.” But the thing about political correctness is that it’s an equal opportunity affliction. There really is such a thing as sit-down-and-shut-up political correctness among the right. For example, try using terms like “public schools” (as opposed to “government schools”) or “anti-abortion” (instead of “pro-life”) in a swarm of righties.
Jason
Not sure I’m following your point, Zrim.
Zrim
It’s that political correctness is a form of old-fashioned groupthink as opposed to a term that describes liberal or progressive outlook. When rightists make it the latter, they exempt themselves from a universal human foible (groupthink).
Jason
What’s really interesting is watching what happens when Bill Maher or Sam Harris refuses to parrot the liberal party line about Islam and whether it is a religion of peace.
Zrim
Yeah, their religious bigotry is so refreshing (he said sarcastically and huge eye roll).