I would like to propose
a new word to use instead of the term "Politically Correct".
I'd prefer be called "Socially Aware".
As the term implies,
"Political Correctness" claims to define what's correct and
incorrect. It screams at us if we say something wrong, or express the
wrong opinion. "Socially Aware" invites us to look at
what's really at the heart of the problem, and to respond with
compassion, even if the wrong word accidentally slips out of our
mouth.
I find the "Political
Correct" mindset legalistic. It leads to polarisation. It
insinuates that one is either in or out, and if one fails to be
correct on one or two points, one is all the way out.
At its best, it's not
the ideal way of showing compassion to the downtrodden and
administering social justice. Too often, it's the faรงade
which justifies hating the perpetrators of injustice more than we
love the victims of it. Hate is never a good motivation for justice.
While it might move the crowds more quickly, the fruit of it is never
sweet. The only motive for social justice is to have compassion on
the victims, while recognising that the perpetrators of the injustice
are also its victims.
So, I don't claim to be
"Politically Correct", but I do want to express how I feel
about some of those injustices, while separating the true injustice
from the ones artificially created by the name-calling. I also want
to seek out helpful solutions to those injustices, ones that truly
enable the marginalised people-groups without creating more problems;
solutions not based on revenge, that don't idolise the victim, and
that recognise that the perpetrators of injustice are often also the
victims of previous injustice. I want to talk about solutions that
look forward to the day when the wounded party can truly get on with
life without being hindered by the pain of the past.
For-instance, I believe
that Native Americans have not been dealt with fairly, and that we
who claim a Christian heritage have a lot to answer for in regards to
American history (some of my own ancestors on my mother's side were
white settlers in Western Ohio during the Indian wars of the 1700s).
I believe that the
Irish have been dealt with cruelly and unfairly by the British in our
history, and that Protestant attitudes have added to the problem
(some of my ancestors on my father's side signed the Ulster Covenant,
declaring their stand as Protestants in opposition to a Catholic
Ireland. I'm also an Ulster Scots on my mother's side).
I also believe that
America has yet to fully come to terms with the slavery of Black
people in their history, and that many black people are correct in
their perception that they are not accepted wholeheartedly into white
society -- even among whites that claim "political correctness".
I've been among them long enough to know that, plus, I was raised as
a minority (a white living among brown-skinned people). Also, my wife
is Asian, and she often feels the same rejection. It's a fact.
I also believe that
many many Moslems simply want to live peacefully among the
communities of the nations of their adoption. They are caught between
those in the general population who perceive them as possible
terrorists, and the radical fringe groups within their own community
who are trying to push them towards radicalisation.
And, I believe that
Jesus' command to show compassion to the poor and to assist the
downtrodden -- sic. the refugee -- takes precedence over our
fear that there might be one or two terrorists among the refugee
population. The mandate He gave His followers was to feed the hungry,
clothe the naked, be hospitable to strangers and make disciples; not
make the world a safe place for our own kind.
On the other hand, does
being "Politically Correct" mean we're not allowed to
acknowledge that certain problems exist? Can we recognise the needs
of countries like Israel to take necessary measures to ensure
security for their citizens (which includes Jews and Moslems)? Or, is
it even politically correct to admit that Israel has a right to exist
as a nation? What about recognising that Moslems and other groups in
Israel are treated far better than Jews are in most Moslem countries?
Does being "Politically
Correct" mean that one religion has the right to be offended,
but another religion doesn't? Why does a borough council that allows
a local mosque to broadcast their call to prayer over a p.a. system
not allow nativity scenes and church bells because they offend the
Moslem community? Mind you, I don't care that much about church bells
and nativity scenes. I was raised in a country where I was a
minority, and we didn't have those things. My Christian duty is to
tolerate an offence directed at me rather than allow my lifestyle to
offend others, except through the Cross of Christ. That, in itself,
is already offensive enough. However, in my mind, Church bells and
nativity scenes have very little to do with the Cross of Christ --
and for that matter, so do ornate gold crosses that we like to wear*.
However, I can still recognise a double standard when it appears in
the name of "political correctness".
So, for me,
"politically correct" is an inadequate word. I'd prefer to
call myself "socially aware".
----------------------
* I hope my Catholic
and High Church brothers and sisters don't take offence. I'm not
against gold crucifixes, but I'm sure that they also recognise that
it's by the true Cross of Christ that we're saved by, which emanates
from inside.
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