Has The World Become Too Politically Correct?

American society went through an awful multi-generational period of intolerance, hatred and racial segregation primarily aimed at African-Americans.  Additionally, women were treated as “breeders” and dutiful servants to men.  Certainly, there were many exceptions to the rule—and not all women were treated that way, or all African-Americans were segregated.  But there was a general tone of intolerance and insensitivity that was tolerated by a good chunk of mainstream society.  Through protests as a result of societal evolution and growth, guaranteed rights were afforded to all. 

Full integration and freedoms came, but the scars of blatant racism: lynchings, cross burnings, bombings, segregation and women being horribly oppressed remained.  An era of political correctness artose in the 1990s, so the scars from those dark days could fully heal.  In the process, did oppression return under different guises and means—irrevocably set in stone by spin doctors and the such? 

With racism and sexism still prevalent in society; much of it in more refined and subtler ways, is the need for political correctness still much needed?  Organizations like the Ku Klux Klan no longer officially advpcate violence and force, but throw out more mainstream arguments for God, and the Republic.  An ultra-patriotic argument that has support.  In those arguments come nuggets of racism written in a more refined and less profane manner.  We see a lot of anti-homosexual attacks in word and force that has triggered off a rash of suicides in the media. 

There still a need for a degree of political correctness.  But through that, should also come the belief that society has grown and changed: new ideas, ideals, new generations and thinking separate this era from bygone eras of downright hatred and intolerance.  Additionally, we cannot destroy the freedoms that were fought and died for by destroying our society through a ‘reverse-intolerance.’  Stripping people of dignities, as well as rights through the concept of political correctness and its support mechanisms reverts society back somewhat.  What is needed is a respect for all peoples, all beliefs.  In the process, protecting all people and giving them total freedom.

There can be no freedom until everybody is free.  A heavy-handed application of what is essentially a sound doctrine of freedoms and rights oppresses and alienates us all.  Society is still in a learning curve and needs time to fully grow.  But in the process, everybody has to be included: the hardlined bigot, people of color (or not of color), women, different religions and homosexuals.  There is a place at the table for everybody, although they might sneer at each other.  In time, society will fully grow and change to a place where bigotry and intolerance has no place.  In the meantime, we are haunted by the ghosts of the past, and must never revert back.