Morcan Books & Films

What is a bigger threat to society: Inequality (whether caused by sexism, racism or other discrimination) or Political Correctness (e.g. censorship, language controls, anti-freedom of speech regulations etc. that aim to prevent inequalities)?

That’s the latest poll question we put to members of our Underground Knowledge discussion group in Goodreads.com.

Interim poll results are as follows: 35% say Inequality; 29% say Political Correctness; 34% say both; 2% are unsure.

In introducing the poll, here’s what Underground Knowledge group co-founder James says:

Hey, hey, hey, don’t shoot the messenger here regarding the phrasing of the poll (Yes, I’m a mind reader!)

This is a really tricky poll to word and I perhaps didn’t quite find the best wording.

But hopefully y’all get the gist of the two sides of the equation here.

For the record, I voted both are equal threats as I fear both extremes. And I’m also very aware that some people try to make out every single concern expressed by minorities or the disadvantaged or outcast would always equate to PC in action — that can be a subtle tactic of fascists or racial agitators or gender/sexuality haters, where they always label any sensitivity concerns expressed as “political correctness” when half the time they are legitimate concerns.

However, I must admit lately I’m getting more and more concerned about not only the more extreme side of Politically Correct (PC) culture (especially censorship) and the all pervasive “Nanny State” it’s breeding — but also the growing “we know best” brigade who seem to judge any action of a public figure that’s even slightly unsavory/distasteful as being completely unforgivable…Some of that sort of lobbying for social justice gets really vicious especially on social media…And it’s weird how those claiming to be humanitarians end up becoming quite militant or even fascist in their attempts to “deliver justice”…

So somehow it seems to be about getting the balance right where we do stand up against legitimate hate speech and purposeful marginalizing of various underdogs of society, without preventing open debate and freedom of speech. Because I wonder if our society could eventually become so overly protective in its desire to create equality and inclusiveness that it births brand new minorities…or else new marginalized groups who don’t fit in or innocently use language, or try to start debates, not deemed acceptable…Or could these measures even create greater divisions than ever existed before?

And is all this what George Orwell was warning us about in his novel Nineteen Eighty-Four?

To see what poll respondents are saying, or better still to have YOUR say, go to: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/142309-underground-knowledge-a-discussion-group?type=group

Poll ends November 4, 2018.

*************************************************