It is obvious that being polite is necessary when contributing to a discussion through

speaking or writing, but can this characteristic be taken to an extreme that silences the voices of
the people? Political correctness, in general terms, is the avoidance of using offensive or
discriminatory language, but some have come to believe that any opinion they deem incorrect is
offensive language. Due to the possible implications of this ideology, I have chosen the line of
inquiry, "Is there a correlation between political correctness and limitations on free expression?"
I decided on this specific line of inquiry because it is currently a hot topic that will interest me
throughout the semester. My decision to write about this issue came after one of the read, see,
listen assignments in our daybooks. I read an article on USA Today that addressed political
correctness on college campuses nationwide. In my opinion, the editorial board who wrote this
article believes that the idea of being "politically correct" is creating a generation of spineless
individuals who are afraid to express themselves because they are constantly afraid of offending
people. The ideas proposed by the authors caused me to become curious about the issue, and
at that point I began creating questions about the topic that turned into my line of inquiry.
I already have many questions about this topic that I hope to address and answer during my
research. Where did this issue begin? Who or what created this idea of being politically correct?
Who does this issue effect the most and why? Does political correctness have both positive and
negative aspects? Why has society allowed the idea of being politically correct to become the
norm? Should this issue be resolved? If so, how can it be resolved? Who supports political
correctness? Who opposes political correctness? Has political correctness hurt anyone? Has it
helped anyone? What are some specific ways in which political correctness limits first
amendment rights?
This issue is most definitely worth exploring and learning about. Does it not concern you that
an idea as widely accepted as political correctness is potentially limiting constitutional rights? It
should concern every citizen in the United States enough to create questions regarding the
issue. The idea of being politically correct is a possible threat to educational institutions, the
work environment, politics, etc.; however, it may not be, but research must be done and
questions must be asked before we can possibly know the truth.
Although research on this issue should benefit everyone, it will be most beneficial to those
who are college age and under. These individuals are the ones that have grown up in a society
that accepts this belief, and they have come to accept it without questioning because they do
not know better.
I have never really researched this issue before, but I do believe that it stems from more
liberal ideology. I have also seen how people are afraid to express themselves due to the idea
of being politically correct. For example, I have noticed that many of my Caucasian friends will
avoid even the slightest disagreements with those of different racial backgrounds because they
fear being deemed racist and intolerant. Most of the knowledge that I already have regarding
this topic has come from discussions with my parents and previous classroom discussions. In
one of my high school classes I observed researched debates that discussed this topic in
regards to its effect on politics. Many of my classmates, along with my teacher, agreed that this
ideology produced extensive negative effects on the political environment.
I am most definitely entering this project with preconceived opinions. I already have a stance
on this issue. I do not believe that there are any positive aspects of political correctness, and I
believe that this ideology is an attempt to silence peoples opinions. I understand that the
opinions I already possess can create bias during my research and my writing, but I also
understand the importance of listening to the other side of the argument and respecting opinions

other than mine. After all, you cannot truly know the answer to a question unless you have
heard and considered many opinions, and there are definitely going to be valid points coming
from both sides of the debate.