A Brief Defense of Political Correctness

Political correctness is not the avoidance of the truth or a dodging of reality. It is a sign of peace where strife historically existed. For instance, I self-identify as “African” or “black”. I personally don't feel the need to call myself African-American. I was taught that Africa is a great and mysterious and powerful continent; that I came from the kings and queens and warriors of that great continent; and that black is beautiful...and I believed all of it. "African" and "Black" work for me and will work for my children. Yet when I hear someone who is not black refer to "African-Americans", I know that person is making an attempt to be honorable, knowledgeable, and peaceable. It is an attempt to end (or at least reduce) the hostility amongst the races in our country. One of the places where disdain was preserved for decades was in name-calling.

Nigger. The word that captures centuries of humiliation and shame.
Jigaboo. The most ridiculous word I have ever heard in my entire life. It's so old and odd that I didn't even know I was being insulted when someone used that word to be cruel to me.
Coon. Really?
Spade. Good Christians don't play cards so I was lost with this one until I was older (note the sarcasm...no attacks, please).
Darkie. That's rather childish, to say the least.
Boy/Gal. The Southern accent adds to the intensity for some reason...well, we know the reason.

And I am sure the list could go on.

The same can be said for the indigenous people of the United States.

Why do we tolerate using their sacred names and images for entertainment and marketing?

Jeep Mandingo? No.
Jeep Zulu? No
Jeep Jew? No.
Jeep Cherokee? Yes.
Why?

Washington Blackskins? No.
Washington Yellowskins? No.
Washington Whiteskins? No.
Washington Redskins? Yes?

Why?

Black tribal figure running around on a field? Never?
Yellow Asian railroad working running around on a field? Never
Red native figure running around on a field? Yes?

Why?

In keeping with the sports theme, one might suggest that the Minnesota Vikings is a good example of why one can use all cultural images in the same manner. But one has to ask, "What is the history of the descendants of the Vikings in the United States verses the descendants of other cultures?"

And the discussion could go on...

It is in the name of peace and even healing that we take the time to sensitively refer to any marginalized group in the United States that has suffered at the hands of a misguided majority (i.e. blacks. women, the Irish, historic and recent immigrants, the disabled, the poor, Hispanics, Catholics, Muslims, migrant workers, etc.).

Are there extremes in political correctness?

Perhaps. But "extreme" is a relative term.

What about when political correctness clashes with religious conviction?

Where sin abounds, grace doth much more abound.
Be angry, but sin not.
Be wise as serpents and gentle as doves.
Our hatred for sin does not give us license to be obnoxious about that sin.
Jesus handled sin very differently than many of His followers today.

We are all created equal, but our experiences in the United States are not equal.

With all of the grace and peace and love and healing and reconciliation and respect that is attached to political correctness, I remain confused as to why Bible-believing Christians (of all races) are the firsts to attack it.

Perhaps I am ill-informed and/or naive, but I am certain that without political correctness, it would still be acceptable to call little black boys "jigaboo" at the locker in between classes.

And that’s something for which we should all be grateful.