Clark University’s new chief diversity officer led a presentation at the school’s freshmen orientation that focused on “microaggressions.” Microaggressions, a word associated with subtle snubs and insults, elicit strong opinions from both ends of the political spectrum.
To some, it is a real problem that harms marginalized groups. To others, it is nothing more than liberals trying to find an insult in everything they hear or see. The word is becoming a central part of the argument over political correctness.
Microaggressions are just one small part of a larger, more polarized battle. Over the past couple of years, many discussions have erupted over when it is and isn’t OK to use certain slurs, what costumes are culturally appropriative and how far university or government officials should go to help put an end to discriminatory actions.
Both sides go extreme with their views on the subject. The world would be a lot simpler if people could just go out of their way to make others happy, while not getting unhappy over the smaller things.
However, that’s not what is going on in the country today. The “conservative nutjobs” seem to go out of their way to show off their controversial opinions, and the “social justice warriors” seem to cry over any missed apology.
During a summer vacation to Alabama, I saw many T-shirts with Confederate flags on them. One read, “I’d rather be politically incorrect than historically inaccurate.”
Anyone who wears those T-shirts has the right to express their opinion, but it baits everyone into an unnecessary fight. I am all for debating controversial topics, but putting them on T-shirt seems like an effort to be offensive.
In late 2015, Yale University sent students an email telling them to avoid wearing “culturally unaware” Halloween costumes. A Yale professor responded with her own email, questioning whether or not the administration should set those kinds of norms. Many students responded to the professor’s email with outrage, organizing protests and yelling about how the email made them no longer feel safe in their environment. Viral videos of the protests arose, and they showed how ridiculous the students were acting, calling authorities disgusting to their face and being generally disrespectful.
While they rightfully expressed their opinion, just like those who wear Confederate flag T-shirts, they did it in an antagonizing and unwarranted manner. I encourage people to keep having these important, albeit uncomfortable conversations about things that offend them, but revolutionary-style outrage isn’t needed for something as trivial as an email.
Political correctness is a highly nuanced situation, and people need to remember that when arguing over it. I understand things like microaggressions and other forms of insults can be damaging and harmful, but I also understand that there are a lot of people whose innocent methods of expression might send the wrong message.
When a person says they are hurt by a microaggression, take it easy on them. Maybe that person is more sensitive than you’ll ever be, but that doesn’t give you the right to push the insult further.
The same goes for the other side. If someone is making a subtle insult, go easy on them as well. If they aren’t in your shoes, they might not even know the harm they cause.
At the end of the day, everyone needs to learn to have a middle ground and realize that those around them are people just like they are. The only way to move forward as a country is to try to respect each other and to be tolerant of our differences.
Lynne Bunch is an 18-year-old mass communication freshman from Terrytown, Louisiana.