Though it’s objectively good to be nice to people – or at the very least to not be actively offensive – political correctness will never be a practical way to fix this about the world because its spirit of scolding is egotistical and off-putting, making it right for the wrong reason, which naturally causes the objects of its scolding to double down.
We deserve a more humble formula than “HOW DARE YOU, and now that I’ve stolen your attention, guess who also knows the best way for you to live?” Because even if the person saying HOW DARE YOU is correct about something that really matters, their style comprehensively fails. (...) Turns out that "It's not what you say but how you say it" wasn't just a lesson for toddlers.
Unfortunately, the schism between these two sides has become one of the most entrenched aspects of modern western identity and has fueled a sizable chunk of our current volatilty. And tragically, these fights that seem so meaty and essential are usually empty. I.E.: there are good people on the non-PC side who aren't being offensive for offensiveness's sake but rather to spite the PCers for thinking they had the right to be so sanctimonious about anything in the first place.
As for me, I'll admit I lean progressive on most matters, but I see PCness as a sickness and believe that finding a more patient and non-judgy way to express that "being a dick is fine if you're into that but actually, man, just try not to" is one of the most important upcoming social revolutions.
I think we’re at a point where it’s sometimes hard to get a handle on exactly what PC means anymore. At best, it’s sort of a frenzied call to action/shaming oft attributed vaguely to one part of the political spectrum (trying to avoid full-on politics, should delete if I stray)
At it’s historical root, it seems like a brand of seeing the world, usually trying to see it for the better and not trying to hurt others (maybe certain others?), but delivered in a holier than thou way. The opposite not-PC was something to be indulged in, mirthfullness about the world that was somehow self-satisfying.
But the thing is, everyone has feelings and gets offended about different things. There’s certainly some stuff that is objectively “politically correct” that some “un-PC” folks will get very offended by. Hopefully we find a way to turn down the vitriol. (Lord knows, sports fans are among the most finely sensitive humans imaginable. We’re all not that different)
Now let’s turn to this case: what’s PC here is ... at its root what? Is it the idea that hitting a women and supporting is so explosive it should cost people dearly?(probably not based on that wall at OSU) Is it the believing the woman at all at face value? Or is it the speed and the way it turns to 11 so fast? I suppose the root would be that believing someone who says they got hit is “PC” and the un-PC thing would be to ask, are there a lot of women who fabricate these things?
Or is it that PC has become a catchall for a kind of frenzy that links to a sort of vague sense of impropriety?