In an article dripping with condescension, a precious Millennial Snowflake writing for Inc. Magazine is given the space to lecture the bigoted “older generation” on why Millennials — being smarter, more worldly, and more woke than their dottering elders — embrace political correctness.
The purpose of political correctness is to treat all people with the love and respect they deserve. This means calling people by the pronouns they use, and avoiding words and phrases that stereotype and demonize entire groups of people. You can still possess whatever ideology you follow and you can still share your opinion, you’re just being asked to do so in a way that is not hurtful to others.
OK, let’s game this out.
Millennial Snowflake: “We’re not censoring your speech, we’re just politely requesting that you use sensitive language.”
Me: “So, I’m still allowed to express any opinion I want as long as I use the PC words.”
MS: “Exactly, now you’re getting it, old man.”
Me: “Can I say that I think mass immigation from underdeveloped countries is bad for our economy and social cohesion.”
MS: “Oh, no. That’s problematic because it’s insensitive and demonizes immigrants.”
Me: “What if I say that being Transgendered is a mental illness that should be handled through therapy.”
MS: “No, that’s problematic because it otherizes the transgendered and encourages violence.”
Me: “Can I say that obesity causes health problems?”
MS. “No. Problematic. Body-Shaming.”
Me: “Can I say that our public welfare systems are fiscally unsustainable and socially irresponsible?”
MS: “No. Problematic. Poor-bashing.”
Me: “Well… what if I say it’s okay to engage in violence against those I deem racist because it’s okay to punch a Nazi.”
MS: “Sure, you can say that.”
Me: “But isn’t that advocating violence?”
MS: “No, silly older person, it’s just words.”
The comments section under the article, while brief, is unanimously contra the article itself. I found that somewhat reassuring. Less reassuring: That Inc., purportedly a serious business periodical, would publish this drivel.
I read the article, and it is a lot like what the baby boomers, the “older generation,” in this author’s view, were saying back in the hippy days of the late 1960s: “We hippies care so much about the civil rights of minorities, the environment, and women’s rights, and we reject American nationalism and imperialism, unlike you old people.” I can also remember as a young lad venturing out into the gay community for the first time about 30 years ago, and being cautioned to use politically correct language. And now in 2017 this Millennial author comes along and thinks his generation invented all this!
Yes, the Millennials think they invented everything. But I recently became aware of a book about a group of college women who get together for a reunion. One has an eating disorder, another married an abusive man, another commits suicide, another has to deal with constant sexual harassment where she works, another has become a lesbian.
Sounds like typical neo-feminist drivel, right. Except the book was called ‘The Group’ and it was a New York Times bestseller in 1933.
Thank you for this. I am finding this to be the norm here in California. Even those of us who disagree with this style of language control have a hard time fighting against it. I especially, being an educator, have to be careful about how and when I say certain things. I can usually throw them in in a common sense situation. Although, one thing I have for sure done in my classroom is ban the word fair. To me, it’s a four letter word, just like the f-bomb. In response to the idea of things being fair, even to little ones, I say, “Life isn’t fair. If it was, no one would ever get sick or die. The truth is, life is hard, and then you die, so what are you going to do with your life while you have it?” Not a politically correct statement, but one that the kids can understand, that should really be common sense, and one that from which I have seen many students stop and think, and sometimes change behavior. That’s about as far as I can go.
plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose
“Ah, but nobody ever said life was fair, Tina. I’m bigger, and I’m faster. I will always beat you.” -Mommie Dearest
Sorry, I just had to slip that in.
“Older?” *Gasp* Age-shaming! Burn the heretic!
The Group was adapted for a chick flick in 1966, starring Candace Bergen, Joan Hackett, Joanna Pettit, and Jessica Walter. The subject matter (lesbianism, abortion, extramarital sex) may have still seemed cutting edge and controversial at the time. Today, it seems downright quaint.
Not that I have anything against youthful & vibrant 20 somethings (fresh meat) but unless they have something substantial to contribute, without flaw, then their opinions & views mean nothing. That’s the way of life.
While seemingly a harsh and drastic measure, I think it’s a good start to overcoming the “participation trophy” mentality that has permeated the educational system (exemplified by the know-it-all article author). Life most certainly isn’t ‘fair’ and the quicker that young humans understand and internalize this concept the better off they will be. The key to a manageable life isn’t fairness and equity, it’s resilience and developing coping skills to deal with the inevitable adversity. This is even more important for students who may turn out to be LGBQXYZ+, since not everyone will shower them with hugs and kisses because they are ‘brave’ enough to proudly choose the person they wish to associate with. (And for the “T” folks, not everyone will embrace your choice to use alternative pronouns, dress in a gender-fluid manner, or scold those who may call you an “it”—even if your parental units do all of those things.)
Conservative Guy…haha!!!
RSG—harsh, but necessary, as you point out well
I had a college professor back in 1963 who warned our class about this new thing called “political correctness”. He said it was an attempt by Communist (yes that was his take) to curb the USA freedom of speech. Very prophetic on his part and we (the class) had not a clue to what he was talking about.
fortdixmike: your professor was 100% correct. Google “Frankfurt School” or Cultural Marxism.