The Failure of PC Culture: When Political Correctness Becomes an Attack on Autonomy
By Michael Kelman Portney
Political correctness (PC) culture was meant to promote respect, inclusivity, and sensitivity, but over time, it has faced growing resistance and criticism. For many people, PC culture feels less like a movement for empathy and more like an attack on personal autonomy. The core issue lies in how political correctness is often imposed, making people feel controlled, silenced, or forced to conform. When individuals perceive PC culture as an attempt to manage or dictate their beliefs, it’s bound to face backlash. Here, we’ll explore why PC culture often fails, especially when it comes to autonomy, and consider ways to create a culture of respect that encourages genuine understanding instead.
1. Autonomy vs. Enforcement: The Core of the Conflict
Autonomy is a fundamental human need. People want to feel free to express themselves, form their own opinions, and make choices that reflect their unique values. When political correctness is enforced through rules or social pressures, it can come across as controlling, stripping people of their sense of agency.
• Feeling Forced to Conform: Many people resist PC culture because they feel coerced into using certain language or holding specific beliefs. Instead of fostering genuine respect, enforced PC culture often leads to resentment, as people feel that their freedom of thought and speech is being restricted.
• Rebellion Against External Pressure: Humans naturally resist what they perceive as forced change. When PC culture feels imposed from the outside, people may push back, not because they disagree with the values of respect and inclusion, but because they don’t want to be told how to think or speak.
2. The Rise of “Self-Censorship” and Its Consequences
PC culture often promotes self-censorship, where people refrain from saying what they truly think out of fear of backlash. While it may appear that self-censorship reduces offensive speech, it can also create an environment where honesty is stifled, leading to frustration and disconnection.
• Anxiety Over Expression: People want to express their ideas without constant worry about unintentionally offending others. Self-censorship doesn’t lead to genuine understanding; it creates anxiety around communication, which can ultimately push people further from PC values.
• Authenticity vs. Compliance: When people feel compelled to adopt certain language or avoid certain topics, it doesn’t mean they truly believe in those principles. Compliance without understanding can lead to shallow interactions, where people avoid saying anything meaningful rather than risk breaking social rules.
3. The Impact on Dialogue and Genuine Understanding
PC culture, when overly enforced, can harm open dialogue. Meaningful conversations are essential for mutual understanding, but PC culture often discourages this, labeling certain topics as off-limits. This can prevent people from discussing issues in depth, leaving misunderstandings unresolved.
• The Chilling Effect on Honest Debate: When people fear judgment or backlash, they avoid discussing sensitive topics. This chilling effect stifles opportunities for growth, understanding, and compromise, as people become unwilling to engage with perspectives different from their own.
• Increasing Polarization: PC culture can inadvertently contribute to polarization, with people on both sides feeling alienated. Instead of bringing people together, rigid rules around speech and thought push people into opposing camps, creating more division than unity.
4. Why PC Culture Feels Like a Threat to Individual Identity
For many, PC culture feels like an attack on individual identity. When people are told how to speak, think, or behave, it can feel like a rejection of who they are and what they believe. This perceived threat to personal identity is one of the strongest reasons people resist PC culture.
• Feeling Misunderstood: When people’s beliefs are dismissed or criticized as “politically incorrect,” they feel marginalized and misunderstood. This alienation makes it difficult for them to adopt the values of PC culture because they see it as a rejection of their authentic selves.
• Loss of Unique Perspective: PC culture, when applied rigidly, can flatten diversity by enforcing a specific set of norms. Instead of celebrating a true variety of perspectives, PC culture can create an echo chamber where only one perspective is acceptable, ironically undermining diversity.
5. The Failure to Address Root Issues and Real Concerns
PC culture often focuses on language and symbols without addressing the underlying issues that cause offense or harm. This surface-level approach can feel performative, as it doesn’t tackle the core problems people face.
• Superficial Changes Over Substance: When PC culture emphasizes language policing over meaningful change, it can feel hollow. For example, altering words or phrases might appear progressive but may not address structural issues, like economic inequality or lack of representation.
• Performative Allyship: PC culture sometimes leads to performative allyship, where people say the right things to avoid criticism but don’t engage with the deeper struggles behind those words. This performative approach can create cynicism and resentment, as people feel pressured to “perform” political correctness without sincere commitment.
6. The Paradox of Tolerance: How PC Culture May Diminish Inclusivity
In an ironic twist, the enforcement of PC culture can sometimes create a less inclusive environment. When people feel judged or criticized for not adhering to certain standards, it discourages openness and discourages genuine efforts to understand.
• Intolerance in the Name of Tolerance: PC culture, intended to promote inclusivity, can become exclusive itself by labeling dissenting opinions as intolerant or offensive. This creates an environment where tolerance only applies to certain views, alienating those who might otherwise engage in the conversation.
• The Pressure to Conform Alienates Potential Allies: Many people are open to learning and evolving, but the strict boundaries of PC culture can make them feel unwelcome. People are more likely to evolve when they feel included, not when they feel they have to follow rigid rules to belong.
7. Moving Forward: Fostering a Culture of Respect Without Coercion
If PC culture is to have a positive impact, it must move beyond enforcement and control. Instead of demanding compliance, a culture of respect should encourage autonomy, honest dialogue, and empathy. Here are some alternative approaches:
• Encourage Open Dialogue, Not Silence: Real inclusivity comes from open dialogue, where people feel free to ask questions and share perspectives. Instead of discouraging “incorrect” thoughts, create spaces where people can engage in honest conversations without fear of judgment.
• Focus on Understanding Over Policing: Shift the focus from enforcing language to understanding the issues behind it. Instead of punishing people for mistakes, help them understand the impact of their words, fostering empathy rather than compliance.
• Promote Self-Reflection and Growth: Encourage individuals to reflect on their beliefs and actions, rather than imposing rules from the outside. People are more likely to adopt respectful language and behaviors when they come to those values on their own.
• Support Autonomy and Individual Expression: Respecting autonomy doesn’t mean accepting harmful behavior, but it does mean allowing space for people to express themselves authentically. When people feel free to be themselves, they are more likely to engage with respect and curiosity toward others.
Conclusion: Reimagining PC Culture as a Culture of Authentic Respect
The failure of PC culture stems from its emphasis on enforcement over understanding, compliance over connection, and control over autonomy. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all standard, a truly inclusive culture would focus on fostering genuine respect and understanding through dialogue, empathy, and personal growth.
When people feel free to express themselves and explore ideas without fear of judgment, they’re more likely to adopt values of respect and inclusivity willingly. By reimagining PC culture as a culture of authentic respect, we can create an environment where people feel empowered to learn from each other, embrace diversity, and build connections based on mutual understanding.
