political correctness – some shitty notes, now let’s move on

 

Clearly, I can say what I want, and until somebody does something, it doesn’t matter. Of course, were I to rally a neo-nazi riot with my wily words, it’d matter.
Political correctness can be considered a Left movement, an attempt to influence action through the control of speech (and originally also the control of action, in good ol’ soviet russia, where being ‘correct’ in following the Party’s political line became increasingly necessary). There is merit in the theory that monitoring speech can help to reduce intolerance, violence; discriminatory language can validate intolerant behaviour, thought etc.

Oops! Unfortunately, this control of language is generally achieved by the silencing of speech in the form of censorship by: state intervention; threat of state intervention/violence, fines, imprisonment; or cultural ostracisation. Oh, dear. That sounds yucky!

Political correctness is a very specific cultural phenomenon. Commonly, the people likely to be politically incorrect are uneducated or somehow not a part of the western middle class and/or educated society – they might be povos and/or just not whities.

These people, it would appear to me, are just the people whose voice is lacking, whose voice needs to be heard, who need the influence of speech to promote action that can better their living conditions, that can act as resistance.

You fucking hippie!

Further, political correctness is exactly what is likely to prevent my discussion on queer culture, expression, values and representation. There is a funny politically correct loophole that means one can criticise the culture of a minority if they are a part of it, or rather, if they can be a part of it and are the right minority. I have got away with some criticism, fucking men as I do, but can’t avoid my opposite-gender-fucking-’privileges’. I can accept this to some degree – I am not an independent observer and it is important to recognise my privilege and my place in relation to minorities and class – but I like to think that I have something to say about gay culture, sexuality and gender relations that is valuable to the Left. However, what I have to say can only sometimes be PC.

You poof!

Maybe I should read something, some day.

Back to the grind that is my study. Woe is me.