The Right Approach to Political Correctness

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olitical correctness is a big topic at PEA. People get very sensitive around the issue, but they shouldn’t. The sensitivity most likely stems from people being tired of correcting others in their ignorance, or from being personally offended by what someone has said or by feeling attacked by people when they say something politically incorrect. However, if we want to not have to tiptoe around subjects in fear of being politically incorrect and attacked because of that, then one there should be a change in the way one corrects another when they say something politically incorrect.

Usually, when someone says something politically incorrect, it’s not because they want to hurt or offend someone; they say it out of pure ignorance. Therefore, in the case of correcting someone who said something ignorant, one should keep this in mind, and approach them while remembering this fact. Don’t get upset and attack them, because people will get defensive and not want to learn that what they did or said was wrong. Yes, it can get annoying when you have to keep correcting someone on the same topic; it’s quite easy to get impatient. I don’t know how many times I have told different people that it is wrong to call someone a “grammar Nazi.” I’m all too familiar with that wash of dread when I hear someone say something rude or insensitive, and even worse, when that comment has to do with me.

However, despite being tired of having to repeatedly correct people, one should remember that change happens one person at a time. If you approach a person in just the right way as to make them understand that what they said was wrong, then they won’t say it, and perhaps go on to correct others if they make the same comment. However, the way to approach someone in order to elicit this type of response is always hard, especially when that person says something offensive to you.

For example, many people have called me a “grammar Nazi” on multiple occasions. As a person who is somewhat familiar with history, and also as a German citizen, this offends me. Therefore, my immediate reaction is to make them realize just how wrong it is, by saying something along the lines of, “You can’t say that. What you’re saying is wrong, and it’s offensive to me as a German and it hurts me.” However, with me saying that, the person would immediately feel attacked and therefore get defensive, and not realize for themselves that what they said was wrong, but rather think that they just can’t say it around me.

Therefore, in order to make them truly realize that what they’re saying is wrong, whenever I hear someone call me a “grammar Nazi,” I always first ask them to repeat what they said. They say it again, usually a bit hesitantly. Then I always ask in a nonchalant way, “Do you know what a Nazi is?” Then they really start to falter. Usually, as they’re stuttering their way through an answer, I say, “The Nazis were a disgusting group of people, and being compared to one is completely hurtful and offensive, even though I know you didn’t mean to offend anyone. Just please don’t say that.” In that way, they’d realize that what they said was wrong, and will be inclined not to do so again. I didn’t attack them in any way to make them feel defensive, but I did shut them down, so to speak.

So, if you’ve taken anything away from this article, let it be that if you’re going to correct someone politically incorrect, then while doing so remember these three things. First, remember that even though you may be tired of having to correct people, be patient and kind, because the person saying something politically incorrect most likely didn’t mean to offend anyone. Second, when telling someone they are politically incorrect, do so in a way that instead of making the person defensive, make sure they fundamentally understand why what they said was wrong. In this way, they won’t say it again, and perhaps even correct others in the future.

And finally, remember that small changes cause larger changes. Therefore, if you do manage to make someone realize that what they said was wrong, then you can take comfort in the knowledge that you changed one person to be more politically correct. We are currently living in a world where there is a lot of hate—too much hate—and therefore in taking ways to educate people in a way that spreads love makes the world a better place. So, by changing one person’s mind by making them more politically correct, you are making the world a better and more loving place.