So... what is PC Culture? Well if you don’t know, “PC” stands for political correctness, which according to the all-knowing Wikipedia, refers to a way of speaking that does not offend, target or undermine individuals or entire groups of people. In a similar vein but on a larger scale, PC culture refers to a society that understands the weight and value behind certain words, phrases, and actions. PC culture does its best to be inclusive of all individuals regardless of their class, race, sexual orientation and any other identity markers possible. This culture can encompass many efforts, such as creating safe spaces, adding trigger warnings, or even the simple practice of watching what you say.

While living in a world that tries to be inclusive of all people sounds wonderful, there are many people who seem to have a problem with it. Why do they have a problem with this kind of society? I believe it has to do with a few myths about PC culture that we are about to debunk. Here are 5 misconceptions you’ve heard about PC culture:

#1: PC culture tries to limit people's freedom of speech by policing their language and trying to control what they can and cannot say.

False. It is true that PC culture believes in the power of certain words and phrases. However, we are not asking individuals to stop using the language that they’re using but rather to think critically about that language. We are asking them to think about the origins of the words, the implications they have today, and additionally, to think about how it can affect the people around them (or even those not around them). It is commonly believed that by educating someone on the history of a specific word or its derogatory notions, we are in some way dictating what they can and cannot say. However, educating someone and controlling someone’s actions are two completely different things. When people bring up the argument that PC culture is preventing their freedom of speech, what they are really saying is that PC culture is not letting them use pejorative language without any consequences.

#2: PC culture is creating a group of individuals who are way too sensitive and should instead have thicker skin.

It is honestly not about sensitivity. Most of the time the word or action doesn't even apply to us personally but to an entirely different group of people we are fighting with. What people don't understand is that words are weapons that have caused hundreds of battles and wars for centuries. We as a society fail to understand that words turn into ideas, and those ideas become ideologies ingrained in people’s minds until someone has the courage to question them. So no, the problem isn't that we are too sensitive, the problem is this collective lack of understanding that words are more influential than we make them out to be.

#3: PC culture prevents learning by shutting out others who oppose or disagree with our views.

What I’ve learned throughout the years is that part of being open minded means being open minded to closed mindedness. And while I’ve always sought that to be true, what I’ve learned more recently is that in order for me to listen to what you have to say, those words need to respect who I am and not compromise who I am. If you have an opinion that dehumanizes or disregards someone’s entire existence, then you are not worth being listened to. I’ve been in many spaces where students from all walks of life have come together and have had discussions about mental health, antiblackness, immigration, etc. and not one of those spaces has ever made me feel unsafe. While you may think it’s because we all agreed on every single point, you’re wrong. The reason that I’ve never felt threatened in those spaces is because we’ve acknowledged from the very beginning how to create not only a safe space but also a brave space in which we can learn from one another while still remaining respectful and inclusive of each other.

#4: PC culture is just another thing for progressives and liberals to complain about.

I’m going to let you all in on a little secret because you’ve gotten this far and I feel like we’re really close friends now: political correctness has little to nothing to do with politics. Hate to break it to you, but it’s the truth. Being politically correct isn’t some hidden tactic or a way to find offenses that aren’t there. Political correctness is about emotional security. It is making sure people can be themselves in a society that tries so hard to undervalue them. It is about changing the way we think so that institutions of power do not reflect these ideals and use them to abuse, hurt, and even kill people (yes, Law Enforcement...I’m looking at you).

#5 A world that is accepting and inclusive of people’s feelings and ideas is a fantasy made up by idealists and dreamers who need to come to terms with reality.

I’m sorry everyone, but we’ve been lied to. We’ve been told a million times that the real world is cruel and that it is not going to change simply because we are “too sensitive.” This is the bullshit being fed to you by past generations who are afraid of what young minds can do. They are afraid that if we want a world that takes people's feelings into account, a world that accepts all people regardless of identity, and a world that acknowledges the existence of marginalized groups, then we can have that world. Soon, it will be us in the positions of power. We will write laws, we will stand in front of classrooms, and we will be the ones making the important speeches, and it is up to us to create that inclusive world for ourselves.

Yesterday, my little brother asked me why I say “y’all” instead of “you guys” and I told him that even something as simple as calling everyone “guys,” but not being able to call everyone “girls” can say a lot about who we are as a nation. My choice to say “y’all” may not lessen the wage gap or prevent cat calling, but it is my way of showing the world that all it takes is one person acknowledging their ideals to show the people around them how backward our society really is.

Language is power. And when we use that power to preach acceptance instead of hate, I can’t even begin to tell you how beautiful that looks.