Yes It Is, It’s True: Politically correct can cut both ways

Perhaps the most maligned two words in the English language these days is “politically correct.”

It’s blamed for the deterioration of modern American society, for the rise of a totalitarian state, the tyranny of the thought police and the reason for the breakdown of intelligent discourse.

The Miriam-Webster Dictionary has described “politically correct” as “agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.” And we freedom-loving citizens of the United States don’t take kindly to being told how to behave and what to say.

The political right has seized the two words recently in making its complaints about what’s wrong with America today. Some examples:

• The Missouri State Fair has permanently banned a rodeo clown from performing just because he wore an Obama mask.
• A Florida police officer lost his job for calling Trayvon Martin a “thug” on Facebook.
• An elementary school in North Carolina ordered a 6-year-old girl to remove the word “God”from a poem that she wrote to honor her two grandfathers who served in the Vietnam War.
• A student at Sonoma State University was ordered to take off a cross she was wearing because someone “could be offended.“
• Chris Matthews of MSNBCrecently suggestedthat it is “racist” for conservatives to use the word “Chicago,” (though Michigan Republican politicians have used the word “Detroit” as a code word for black people in this state).

Yet it appears many of these same conservatives who oppose political correctness insist on it under certain circumstances, particularly when it involves patriotism or symbols such as the American flag.

As the meme in this post suggests, there was outrage from the right when one of the American gymnasts did not put her hand over her heart while the national anthem was being played during the Olympics.

Another meme shown in this column demonstrates the outrage people feel when someone steps on the American flag, suggesting both be denied welfare payments without knowing whether or not they’re actually receiving assistance.

I’ve seen plenty of conservative Facebook memes dissing First Lady Michelle Obama for failing to put her hand over her heart for the national anthem and the same anger at the President for placing the wrong hand.

I’ve had friends who made the mistake of not standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before a service club meeting. One explained, “I’ve pledged a lot of times, do I have to do it again?”

I’ve read warnings from people who insist that everyone include the two words “Under God” in the Pledge, even though it was not part of it until 1954, when Congress bowed to the McCarthy Era. Just watch an old cartoon of Uncle Sam explaining to Porky Pig why he should say the Pledge and listen carefully because Porky did not say “Under God.”

I remember reciting the original Pledge in grammar school and then one September being told by our teacher we were to add those two words. These days, not to say them is being politically incorrect.

“In God We Trust” also was not added to currency as our motto until 1956.

At the start of athletic contests, it is routine to stand for the playing of our national anthem. I always stand with my hands behind my back, facing the flag. I suppose someone could excoriate me for not putting my hand over my heart, but I don’t see where most others do, either. I stand for the music out of respect, to show good manners, just like I recite the Pledge. I don’t think it has much to do with my attitude about the USA. Anybody can go through the motions and still be a traitor.

The point here is that political correctness occurs on the left and on the right. Though I believe in good manners and honoring customs, let’s not make such a big deal about it. We have more more important issues that face us.