As kids, we were told that sticks and stones might break bones but words could never hurt us. They lied. In today’s world, words can cause great pain, not to mention the possibility of financial or legal ramifications.
On Dec. 24, 1990, Newsweek ran a cover story entitled "Thought Police." At the time, political correctness was a relatively new phenomenon that was taking hold on college campuses, where it had originated. The article stated that political correctness was a subtle form of brainwashing and was quoted as "PC is, strictly speaking, a totalitarian philosophy." Two of George Orwell’s classic novels had an underlying theme that warned of the dangers of socialism. One of Orwell’s central concerns was the "abuse of language as being instrumental to the abuse of power." Manipulating language and using it as a tool to control others is depicted in "Animal Farm" and "1984."
Today, political correctness, when it is paired with the contrived concepts of diversity and tolerance, forms a powerful weapon that has the ability to oppress and gain control over the masses. The concept is indoctrinated into the culture through the public school systems and is mandated at the college level. The mainstream media emphasizes its use as well as emulates political correctness. Thus, it is immersed into the popular culture.
Once political correctness, as well as the concept of diversity, is accepted it becomes a social norm and any opposition is dealt with swiftly by the mainstream society. Anyone who is willing to take a stand and defend their view runs the risk of being ridiculed, labeled negatively and/or, in extreme cases punished. Fear becomes a motivator for conformity. When a person is afraid to speak their mind or question popular opinion, the result becomes a danger to all. The recent terrorist attack that happened here on U.S. soil might have been prevented and innocent lives spared.
Political correctness is now being considered a major factor in the massacre that happened at Fort Hood, Texas. According to an article in the London Telegraph, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, the gunman who killed 13 and wounded 39 unarmed soldiers and civilians, had once given a lecture stating that, "non-believers should be beheaded and have boiling oil poured down their throats." You would have thought that a red flag would have gone up. Mounting evidence now indicates this was a premeditated terrorist attack against our nation. Only now are we learning that those who had contact with Hasan knew he was an Islamic jihadist, yet no one spoke up.
Many high-ranking military personnel had concerns about Hasan’s behavior. Officers from Fort Hood voiced warning, however, they were ignored; no one wanted to be accused of targeting Muslims. Brigitte Gabriel, a national security advocate, asks and answers the question, "why is political correctness so powerful that there are some in the military that would risk the lives of their soldiers [rather than] be accused of discrimination?" She explains, "that for years, organizations such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations or CAIR has bullied, berated and smeared anyone who dared to criticize radical Islam." Obama and members of his administration were quick to insist that the attack had nothing to do with Islam. Gabriel points out that there are hundreds of passages in the Quran that promotes violence against non believers. She specifically quotes, "Fight and kill the unbelievers wherever you find them and Strike off their heads." Perhaps, it’s meant figuratively and shouldn’t be taken literally. But what would I know about that?
We are living in dangerous times, and if we are to survive, we must unite as one nation under God. Remember that words can’t hurt you, bombs and bullets however can. You need to develop a backbone or get a set of cahonies, and reject propaganda and take a stand for what you believe in. Don’t be afraid to call a spade a spade. Time is running out.
