We have a political correctness problem here in the South. We suffer from a negative connotation of what political correctness is and how it operates.

Our understanding of what it means to be politically correct is way off base. Many people do not actually realize what it means to be politically correct. Being politically correct is not saying that white people are less valuable then other races, like many believe. Rather, it says that I weigh cultures equally as long as they are not directly harming other cultures. It is treating people with respect. We as Americans always claim to want to treat everyone with respect; that is all political correctness wants to do.

Another negative association that we instill in political correctness is that it is just a liberal idea of controlling America. I would combat this by saying that I believe in political correctness, and I identify as a Republican. As Americans, we believe in freedom and equal opportunities. We claim to be a melting pot, yet we do not want to treat others with respect. If we want to live up to the ideas of being the land of the free, then we need to treat each other with respect.

We also think that it limits us as people. One of the most common things I hear accompanying offensive statements is, “I have a first amendment right to say that.” This thought makes no sense. When someone says you should not say something because it is offensive, they are not limiting your free speech. They are not a government organization denying your right to say it. They are just saying you should not say it. So, it is not a violation of first amendment rights. Think of the situation from the opposite perspective. Would the person saying the rude or inappropriate thing like being called something similar themselves?

Again, this just goes back to treating other people with respect. It is just like when you were a kid and your mother said, “If you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all.” We need to go back to the basics. We need to treat people with respect because they deserve respect. We see all these ads and ideas about how we should not bully, so why do we allow people to be bullied on some of the ways they identify?

As a society, we need to rethink the negative associations we give political correctness. We need to live up to the standards we set for ourselves and treat each other with respect. If we really want to be the land of the free we need to treat every person who comes over here with some basic respect.

Regan Williams is a senior majoring in political science and communication studies. His column runs biweekly.