PC Is BS (Bad Speech)
By Harris R. Sherline
December 22, 2008
Page 2 of 2
Those who don't agree with PC speech and attempt to defend what they may perceive to be their rights are often mercilessly discredited or destroyed financially through litigation or perhaps risk physical harm.
The result is that people repress honest expression, keeping their thoughts to themselves or discussing them only with others they know to be "safe". The consequence has been the opposite of one of the PC objectives: that outlawing or repressing speech changes unacceptable ideas or makes them go away. But, they have merely gone underground into a subconscious pressure cooker of suppressed but growing anger. The people I know have become increasingly guarded about saying what they believe, but their attitudes and beliefs have not changed one iota. If anything, they have hardened. They're just more careful where and to whom they say what they think.
Have we reached the point where not only can things we say be actionable but certain thoughts may eventually be considered a crime, as in "Hate Crime?" Does anyone worry that we are on a slippery slope to thought control?
PC pressure puts a lid on free expression but it doesn't change attitudes. Preventing people from openly saying what they think may well be one of the causes of the growing violence in our society. Contrary or unpopular opinions and anger can only be contained for so long. When they are suppressed indefinitely without an acceptable outlet, they eventually erupt.
We say we believe in the First Amendment, but do we really? Or do we now have the right of free speech only insofar as it meets some sort of PC test? What has happened to our cherished "land of the free and home of the brave?"
If we don't stand up for our right to free speech now, it will be gone by the end of the next generation.
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NOTE: Read more of Harris Sherline's commentaries on his blog at "opinionfest.com."
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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA. >> Back -- Page 1 2
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