Editor, Gazette-Journal:
What is political correctness all about? Basically, it is an insidious attack on common sense and conscience through language manipulation promoted by leftists. Certain words and phrases are considered to be “insensitive” to minorities, so they must be replaced with euphemisms to avoid real or perceived offense. For example, deaf becomes “hearing impaired,” blind becomes “vision impaired,” and so on. But more insidious, homosexual becomes “gay” and abortion becomes “pro-choice.” Each of these euphemisms is designed to convert a negative association into a positive one.
The political left has hijacked virtually our entire language in the last 50 years. It has redefined many key words, phrases and concepts, changing not only the words we use, but the way we think. For example, take the word “equality” as used in the Declaration of Independence. It referred to our being equal, and endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. That meant we were all equal in our God-given rights before the law. But today, political correctness and multiculturalism have changed the meaning to proclaim that all cultural, moral values, religions, etc., are equal. This moral inversion has extended to virtually every area of society.
If we continue on this path of multiculturalism and political correctness, we will destroy what America once was. We will be nothing more than just another socialist/Marxist country in a world of such countries. The exceptionalism that we always proclaimed will no longer exist. If you are not willing to let that happen, then take a stand for freedom. Reject multiculturalism and political correctness in every form and identify things the way they were identified in the past.
Read and understand your Constitution so you might hold elected officials accountable. That includes those from the federal level down to your county board of supervisors. Be bold for freedom’s sake in the face of intimidation. Our forefathers protected freedom for us. The question is: Are we willing to do the same for generations to come? Every person must answer that question for themselves.
DeWitt Edwards
Mathews, Va.