I have read a number of statements recently in response to terrorist attacks proclaiming “this is not a time for political correctness” or in the case of Rupert Murdoch recently after claiming that all Muslims must be held responsible for Jihadist attacks, “Political Correctness makes for denial and hypocrisy”. Political Correctness has become a toxic term often used by the right as an attack on left wing ideas. It is a general criticism of anyone proposing a modest viewpoint or trying to avoid attacking or apportioning blame to a specific group within a community. So what is modern political correctness and is it a bad thing?

In its modern sense the term Political Correctness arose in response to progressive ideas about education, multiculturalism, racism, homophobia, etc. Herbert Kohl proposes that the political right’s use of the term is “to insinuate that egalitarian democratic ideas are actually authoritarian, orthodox and Communist-influenced, when they oppose the right of people to be racist, sexist, and homophobic.” (Uncommon Differences: On Political Correctness, Core Curriculum and Democracy in Education – June 1992 ). This seems to fit with my experience of the term.

Modern Political Correctness is typified by the belief that women shouldn’t be objectified, that an entire race shouldn’t be blamed for the crimes of individuals, that we shouldn’t make fun of the characteristics of a certain sub group within the community and that we shouldn’t deliberately say things that upset others sensitivities.

On the one hand I am in favor of Political Correctness when detailed as I have above. I do not believe that anyone should be a target for discrimination due to their race, gender, sexual persuasion or political position. I think that society has demonstrated that often what would once have been labelled Political Correctness is now considered societal norm. More and more people in the western world are outraged if they witness a woman being treated as a second class citizen, or witness blatant racism. Recently Professor Barry Spurr was suspended from the University of Sydney after emails were leaked from him containing racist, sexually abusive and generally discriminatory language. I support Professor Barry Spurr’s right to express his opinion in any way he wishes, but I equally support the rights of anyone who wishes to take issue with and criticise his opinion and also the rights of the University of Sydney to not want to be associated with a person who holds those opinions.

On the other hand, I believe that “Political Correctness” has the potential to go to an extreme which ceases to be a positive. If concern for peoples sensitivities stifles legitimate debate, or imposes on anyone’s Freedom of Expression it becomes a bad thing. No idea, individual, group, race or in fact anything, should be immune to question and criticism. This risk exists in the world of art and satire, where the purpose is often to provoke debate or outrage or to titillate and appeal to parts of the psyche that society insists we keep hidden. Interestingly, in these situations Political Correctness tends to be exercised by the conservative right. Comedy is often politically incorrect and I have no issue with this. Although I and I suspect most become uncomfortable with political incorrectness if the comment fails to be funny!

In regards to the comments made by Rupert Murdoch in regard to acts of terrorism committed by individuals who identify as being Muslim. He appears to be using the criticism of Political Correctness against anyone who disagrees with his opinion. In making a tired, outdated and easily disputable comment such as he has, he has invited a barrage of criticism, and as much as I support his right to state his opinion (and he is probably the individual with the most opportunity to do so!), I also support others right to call him an arsehole. I welcome debate regarding the inherent nature of Islam as well as any other religion, and I can certainly see the lazy logic that leads to the conclusion that all Muslims should be held responsible for the actions of Jihadists. But it takes virtually no intellectual effort to argue that holding an entire group responsible for the actions of 0.001% is not in any way fair, useful or leading to a solution. To call a religion inherently violent when 99.999% of its followers are peaceful also requires careful explanation. There are countless other arguments against Murdoch’s opinion, and the frustration of his critics as that this debate has happened, the arguments made over and over again and his position has lost every time!

In this case Political Correctness is actually upholding the values that modern society has been moving towards for a very long time. Values that promote harmony, peace and equality. Political Correctness is opposing discrimination and arguing logic and reason. When the term Political Correctness is leveled as a criticism, it is usually someone saying “I have a right to spout some bigoted, poorly thought out, incendiary opinion and I will use this term to criticise any disagreement and avoid detailing my reasoning”.