The Good PC

I believe in good political correctness.  That doesn’t mean I believe people shouldn’t be free to say what they think. It means I believe that if a group of people say they are offended by something then I am going to take a look at it.  If I can be more respectful of my fellow citizens then I am going to be. If African Americans are offended by the Confederate flag being flown, I am all for having it taken down. Why? Because my fellow citizens don’t deserve to be offended on purpose.

The Bad PC

I do not believe in bad political correctness. That doesn’t mean I don’t believe in being sensitive and respectful, I do.  What it means is I believe people can hold an opinion that is in the minority and not also be an evil or bad person.  I will not condemn them for holding an opinion I do not agree with. If the circumstances are right, I will disagree with them and argue as persuasively as I can against their opinion.  But I am not going to declare they are ineligible for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness because of it.  They also are not ineligible for making a living, having a family, being accepted into society.

Limits

There are limits to that position.  For example, if a teacher does not believe the Holocaust occurred and tries to teach it to my children, I will do everything I can to have them removed.  They are still free of course to believe it, but I am not willingly going to allow them influence over my children. But as I argue against them being employed by the school district I will still use good manners and treat them with civility.

Manners and Grace

Every person has an opinion you disagree with. The friend you invite into your home should be known to not be a terrorist, I agree.  But they can’t be vetted for every possible disagreeable position they hold before you invite them in. If they were vetted in such a way, guess what? They won’t accept your invitation to visit because they will see you as a self-righteous, judgmental jerk, which is what you will have proven yourself to be.

Drawing and commentary © 2015 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com

Quote by Paul Johnson, 1928 – not dead yet, English Author