The 21st. century has become a time of change, however is all that change the right change?

Lately, we the people, have to bite our tongues in fear of being ridiculed for what we say. Everyone has the right to be treated with respect, but has political correctness gotten out of hand. Political correctness is the avoidance of saying certain things to ward off insulting others. Often when someone says something going against this statement, they are shamed for being racist or sexist.

Granted sometimes that assumption is correct, but more often than not they were just speaking their minds. Human relations expert, B.J. Gallagher, of the Huffington Post states, “Jerk, perhaps… but racist or sexist? Perhaps… perhaps not. Do we really understand the seriousness of those labels? Or, are we simply indulging in destructive name-calling based on political correctness?” Gallagher argues that the political correctness movement has lost touch with its original goal of making others aware of people’s feelings and sensitivities by replacing it with a new problem, when does sensitive become too sensitive?

Personally, I believe when you understand others around you have beliefs and views, you may not agree with them, but to acknowledge the fact that what they feel is their own opinion. On top of that when you add your own opinion, respectfully, that is what it truly means to be politically correct. Whether it be during a conversation, speech or debate, both sides should always be considerate regardless. In the past few months, The American Prospect published an article, “Meanwhile, Back on Most Campuses,” by Eyal Press explaining how being politically correct is causing students to be disconnected from the real world. Students at Princeton and Yale have pushed for the names of Woodrow Wilson, a racist, and John C. Calhoun, a slave-owner, to be removed from their buildings. These men are seriously flawed, however they were the men that helped shape America.

Also, can you blame someone for what was culturally acceptable during their time? Political correctness is a heavily debated topic in the country. When is it time for the people to speak their minds again? If a conversation or debate is being held, where both parties are being respectful of the other’s beliefs, a true understanding can evolve. When this happens, change can occur and that is where we start moving forward as a country.