What Does It Mean To Be Politically Correct | The Odyssey Online
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Politics and Activism

Political Correctness Can Be Harmful

It feels like we're treading thin ice with speech.

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Political rally

"Politically correct" actually deals with saying things in a way that won't trigger people or offend them, while most people think that being politically correct is foolish because they believe it's being used to cover up what's happening and is discouraging people from expressing how they really feel.

Merriam-Webster describes it as "to agree with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people."

We use politically correct terms when we're talking topics regarding race, gender, sexual orientation, mostly.

Political correctness can force people into fear of expressing their opinions. When people are scared about how their words and actions will affect other people, they are restricted in their ability to speak freely about some issues. This can be harmful because it limits what is being learned from others; it ultimately silents disagreements. Furthermore, political correctness can be used to ignore facts. Sometimes when people don't agree, try to claim that it is "politically incorrect" by giving you an illogical argument to try to retaliate.

Political correctness is about respect, but now people are using it in different ways.

If we cannot use it in the way it was meant, then we should not use it because it not beneficial.

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