by Grace Siegel
(Slam Poetry Style)
To be Politically Correct is to be hypersensitive.
We are told that to be “P.C.”
is to be oversensitive.
We are often told that
by people who just made a
racist
sexist
homophobic
xenophobic
comment and either don’t care
or don’t get it.
So when we comment on it–
try to help them see–instead of stepping back
and recognizing that maybe,
just maybe,
they are not perfect,
they accuse us of being hypersensitive.
Instead of stepping back and asking themselves
if maybe we have a valid point,
they condemn us as being wrong.
Being politically correct
is not being hypersensitive.
No.
Being politically correct
is understanding that
being racist extends beyond the N-word,
is understanding the inherent connection between
the type of violence that inspired Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit and
the type of violence that causes an African-American girl to get sent
home from school
because of her hair.
It is understanding that both are violent forms of racism.
Being Politically Correct
is understanding the connection between the woman who gets raped
and the woman who gets wolf-whistled at.
It is understanding that both are violent forms of rape culture.
Being politically correct
is understanding the connection between the boy who blows his brains
out
because his family says he isn’t the son they should have
and the guy who is told to ‘man up’
by his buddies when he tries to open up.
It is understanding that both are violent forms of toxic masculinity
Being Politically Correct is about understanding that
racism,
sexism,
homophobia,
xenophobia
takes many forms, some obvious; others subtle,
institutionalized.
It is understanding that both forms
are dangerous, that they infect
our minds and our society.
That it impacts all members
negatively.
So the next time someone tells you that you are being
Politically Correct, and imply it is adverse,
tell them
what being Politically Correct is truly about:
Fighting hate and violence.
