The Impotence caused by Political Correctness

Many Canadians watched the future generation do their best to destroy downtown Vancouver after game 7 of the Stanley cup finals. I expect that most, like me, wondered how this could happen. I am not referring to the reason it started, I get that – a bunch of immature adults that never received a good old-fashioned whipping while they were growing up (Uh-oh, that wasn't very politically correct). But, why were these boneheads allowed to continue to burn cars, break windows and loot businesses?

To be very clear, I am not suggesting that this is the fault of the police. Police are dammed if they do, dammed if they don't take action. No one has any right to criticise the police until they personally stand in a riot, dressed in riot gear, and endure the same verbal and physical abuse. Treating the authority of the law of the land with this kind contempt (seen in any riot) is a sign of the times to come. It is great to see the citizens of Vancouver showing their appreciation for their police department after this riot – even covering a police cruiser with thank you notes – vs. condemning them for the problem.

We have arrived at this era where we are seemingly powerless to act from the riots of days past in which any action on the part of the police has been heavily condemned in the name of the almighty Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. To be forced to stand by and watch, while personal property is being destroyed and looted is about as stupid as it gets.

If we were not ruled by political correctness (liberalism) this is how we could solve this problem:

• Amend the charter; if you are involved in a riot – you no longer have any rights.
  
• If riot occurs, police assemble and communicate loudly, repeatedly and clearly; if you are not part of the riot leave immediately or you will be arrested.
  
• Provide reasonable amount of time for the spectators to leave, and then move in.
  
• Use water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and overwhelming force to shut down the riot completely and decisively.
  
• Arrest everyone and charge all with every crime that has been committed during the riot.
  
• Introduce corporal punishment as an option for sentencing i.e.: public caning (tie them to a post in the center of town and beat them with a stick).
  

Now that is not very politically correct, but does anyone think we would see what happened in Vancouver ever occur again?

Sure, this is rather extreme but I believe that the vast majority Canadians would agree with a very harsh response to the anarchy that is prevalent during a riot. However, most won't come out and say it because this is not politically correct. Some reading this have a poor opinion of me because I stated an opinion that did not mesh with their own. Some feel that I should not even be able to state my view. Hence my point.

It is this same fear of criticism that has paralyzed organizations because too few people are willing to face and speak out about the brutal facts. And many leaders create this atmosphere by condemning the messenger rather than hearing the message. This type of impotence can't be corrected with a little blue diamond shaped pill.

Great leaders actively encourage the communication of all opinions.

The Impotence caused by Political Correctness

It’s time to take the thumb out of your mouth

WARNING: The following will likely cause the "politically correct" to get offended – read at your own risk

People and groups getting offended or insulted; it is happening with increasing frequency, especially in the public arenas of life. A politician, public figure or celebrity speaks their mind (God forbid) and says something that is not quite politically correct … or in some cases extremely un-politically correct. Then come the voices - the whining - the cries for justice because … sob, sob … what they said offended me. I want an apology. I demand an apology.

I expect that the following must have happened to some of us as kids – not me – so I will have to use what I see in movies and on TV. Little Johnny does something rude or physically assaults his brother or sister. Little Johnny's brother / sister goes to Mom (why is it always Mom?) and tattles. Mom demands that little Johnny apologizes to little sister / brother. Little Johnny reluctantly says that he is sorry and life goes back to normal.

Did anyone really believe that little Johnny was sorry? No. Not little Johnny's brother / sister; not Mom or the viewer watching this play out on TV (or in real life is this happened to you). Why does it play out like this?

• Mom orchestrates this in order to resolve the situation and reinstate peace – it is much quicker than an inquiry, coaching and performance management.
  
• Little brother / sister tattled to gain the upper hand; to take control; a power play; this is how they get little Johnny to submit.
  

The problem is that little Johnny's brother and sister have not outgrown this infantile drama play, and now as adults, continue to solve their problems (hurt feelings) in the same manner. The script plays out almost exactly the same but with different characters. The boss, like-minded groups of people, or the media play Mom. Little Johnny's brother / sister are the overgrown babies. The only difference in the script (other than I am not talking about physical assault with adults) is that little Johnny (now big Johnny) is not always guilty. Sometimes he is, but more often than not, he is a victim of simply saying what he really thinks and feels. Shouldn't be a crime (offense), and in most situations it is not. However, if I can make you apologize; agree with me that you didn't really mean what you said - even though you did, I win – you look bad – I look good at your expense.

Please understand that I am not talking about slanderous comments or racial bigotry. I am talking about differences of opinions. I would site examples, but for reasons mentioned in this blog post, I am afraid of opening a can of worms and offending certain people or groups.

It is this kind of preschool drama that creates and continues to fuel the political correctness that we see in society today. People are becoming afraid to say what they really feel and think because someone might get offended. Government politics has become an art in anticipating and judging what to say or not to say in order to get re-elected. In many organizations, depending on the culture, the way that you say things is more important that what you say and a difference of opinion could be career ending. Politics, or political correctness is one of the most problematic diseases that business, organizations, governments and society face today.

I am certainly not advocating that people should be allowed to spout off with no consequences whatsoever. But, a few seconds of rational thought would make one realize that when you force someone to apologize, you are not changing what they really feel but are instead forcing their true feelings underground. Why don't we let society take care of those that say harmful things? The most effective way to take care of a loudmouth is to let them sink themselves with their own words. If society and right minded thinking individuals do not shut them down, and their voice continues to be heard, I suggest that it was probably worth hearing – even if some felt insulted by it. If we cut everyone off that has ever said something unpopular, our world would be much worse off. I believe that Martin Luther King Jr. said some things that were considered unpopular in his time. I wonder if he would be allowed to say the things he said if all the circumstances of that story played out today. Of course he was silenced in a much different manner.

The truth is, that the choice to be offended, or not – is yours. Regardless of what you hear – what someone says or does to you or your cause - you can choose to let it run off you like water off a duck. Or you can decide to whine and pout and demand an apology. Your choice.

End note: I apologize ahead of time if the words written above have offended anyone.

It’s time to take the thumb out of your mouth