Why Aren't Angry Parents Standing Up Against the Indoctrination of Children Into Strict Political Correctness?
There are two versions of 'political correctness'.
The first is where you don’t insult people and be respectful to minorities. This is the nice version, often described as being respectful and a nice person. The second, however, is where people take this nice behavior and use it to push their own agenda, shutting down others in the process.
The frustration with this second version is real. As a conservative living in California, I see the tension between free expression and aggressive politeness. Yea, it sucks I know. But why don't more parents stand up against the indoctrination of their kids into PC culture? Well, they already are. Unfortunately, the system just doesn’t work for everyone.
The Myth of Political Correctness
Many people understand that 'political correctness' doesn’t really exist. It's a dog whistle phrase used by those who dislike the First Amendment fiercely. These individuals use it to shut others down, yet they themselves have said things that might offend people. It’s a double standard, and it’s hurting free expression.
Am I an American?
When we say we are the land of the free and the home of the brave, it's na?ve to believe that most of us are truly brave. We willingly give up our freedoms, allowing our government to murder black brothers and sisters in the streets without doing much about it, or donating billions of dollars in foreign aid while ignoring the poisoned water in Flint, Michigan. How do we stand for what we don’t believe in?
The System is Set Up for Failure
On a local scale, parents have stood by helplessly as bullies terrorized their children for decades. Schools used phrases like 'boys will be boys' and 'just ignore them' to dismiss the problem. Jimmy, for example, was bullied simply because he was a Pakistani Muslim or a homosexual. Friends got in trouble for joking around with him, and the school enforced a zero-tolerance policy that prevented Jimmy's parents from stepping in. The economy, combined with multiple mortgages and jobs, leaves parents with no time or resources to deal with such issues.
Meanwhile, students who call each other names and accuse others of prejudice and hatred are often just trying to exert control over their lives. While it might seem like these students are causing more harm than good, the real issue lies in how we teach empathy and tolerance. Simply telling someone not to use offensive language doesn't teach empathy; it teaches avoidance.
The Role of Free Expression
If the system is set up to fail parents, perhaps in states where sex education is abstinence-only and heavily controlled by parents, maybe some parents can rally and defend their children's rights to express themselves freely. However, the reality is that children will eventually rebel against dogmatic parents who exercise black and white thinking. Eventually, 'bad words' will be reclaimed, and that is a natural part of growing up.
So, while it's frustrating, it's important to understand the system and its limitations. Instead of fighting a losing battle, perhaps we should focus on creating a more balanced approach to free expression and education.