Clarifying the record on ‘political correctness’
Andrea Seastrand, (“Biting our tongues in the era of political correctness,” Nov. 26) seeks to place the blame for stifled debates on a mentality which she and many others incorrectly label “political correctness.”
In reality, when all of us learn to walk around a bit in the shoes of human beings whose experiences are far different from our own, the kindness and understanding that can result is empowering and enlightening — not constricting of truly productive debate.
Sadly, those who do not want this kind of exchange or to modulate their words out of respect for the experience of others, often denigrate those shared experiences as “just so much whining” or “political correctness.” Human kindness helps all of us to stand up straighter and taller. The true cause of divisiveness can more properly be attributed to the unwillingness of many in our nation to face up to some uncomfortable truths.
Susan Richardson, Los Osos
This story was originally published November 29, 2017 at 8:28 PM with the headline "Clarifying the record on ‘political correctness’."