It’s hard to express any sort of opinion in 2016 without facing criticism from somebody who takes offense to your point of view. The phrase “sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me” has become totally irrelevant. What child didn’t grow up without being taught this lesson? The lessons we learn as children are some of the most valuable lessons we learn in our lifetime: never lie, treat others the way you want to be treated, don’t be selfish etc. Why is “sticks and stones” any different? Why do people today let the opinions of other people bother them so much? Our culture has become so invested in creating a “politically correct” environment, yet the only way we seem to be trying to do this is by complaining when someone has hurt our feelings.

Yes, this is a country where everybody, no matter what ethnicity, race, gender, or background should have equal opportunity to become successful, but this is also a country where people can freely express their ideas and not have to worry that one word, or one phrase, is going to piss somebody off and create unnecessary consequences. We cannot change the opinions of the people around us, but we can absolutely change they way we receive and respond to those opinions.

This past week at Colby College was spirit week, and each day of the week had a theme. One of these themes included “suit up day” where students dressed formally for class. In response to this theme, an individual anonymously reported that “suit up” day does not recognize “the professionalism of women” and rather only recognizes affluent males who can afford to wear a suit. Clearly this report is an advocacy for feminism, and this individual is offended that women are not acknowledged by a spirit week theme that is named after a popular expression. That’s right, an expression. It’s only an expression. While this individual is, by all means, justified in sharing his or her opinion, they are not justified in criticizing those who created the spirit day theme. This individual is creating a fight out of a light-hearted and innocent idea.

I am not alone in saying that these types of criticisms are seen very often in 2016, and are starting to become less and less constructive. While it may not seem this way on the surface, these constant battles over political correctness are extremely detrimental to our growth as a community. If we are constantly being told not to say this or not to say that, then how can we say what we want to say? Why should we have to withhold our opinions because they may differ from somebody else’s? Political correctness should not be our primary concern. Our primary concern should be remaining true to our freedom of expression, a liberty that should make us proud to be Americans, and not turn us against each other.