In our seemingly frequent, politically correct culture, I heard someone recently ask what the problem actually is with political correctness. Great question. And one we should talk about.
Perhaps we should first define what it is…
Political correctness (or colloquially “PC”) equates to “the avoidance, often considered as taken to extremes, of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against” (per Oxford Dictionaries).
The goal is to avoid potential, personal offense.
While the Intramuralist would never intend to offend, there exists a sensitive recognition that some things are harder for each of us to hear. Hard to hear, however, does not automatically prompt need for political correctness. Case in point: “Dear Future Mom”…
Earlier in 2016, Down Syndrome International released a video to commemorate World Down Syndrome Day. DSi and its American affiliates are organizations precious to this parent’s heart. Their two minute commercial, no less, featured a soon-to-be mother asking “what kind of life” her future child might have. Young people from all over the world — with Down syndrome — answer her with a poignant, contagious purity in their expression.
Said one articulate teen:
“Don’t be afraid. Your child will be able to do many things. He’ll be able to hug you; he’ll be able to run towards you; he’ll be able to speak, and tell you he loves you; he’ll be able to go to school like everybody…”
Then said the narrator, near the end:
“Sometimes, it will be difficult; very difficult; almost impossible — but isn’t it like that for all mothers? Dear future mom, your child can be happy, just like I am — and you’ll be happy, too.”
The commercial ends with sweet shots of the kids hugging their parents… lots of smiles… lots of joy. Said one commentator: “It’s a profound and incredible tribute to the love that parents have for their special needs children.”
As the parent of a son with Down syndrome, I can attest that such expressions are consistent with my personal experience.
However, in France, the ad was prohibited. In fact — flying well below the holiday radar (with the season of merriment serving as an expedient time to release controversial rulings or contentious news), the ban was recently upheld by the French State Council, claiming the commercial is unfit for television because it’s “likely to disturb the conscience of women who had lawfully made different personal life choices.”
In other words, the commercial was prohibited on French television because of the possibility that women who aborted their children due to a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome may be offended; they may feel uncomfortable if exposed to such a message.
So let me be clear. And let me be equally honest and sensitive. There is no intentional shame via the Intramuralist. There is also no avoidance of the truth.
The truth is that the quality of life of a person with Down syndrome does not have to be any lesser; any perception that it is somehow worse, is more in our preconceived minds than in their reality. Just like the rest of us, persons with Down’s have the potential to thrive, grow, and find great, great joy. That is the truth.
However, in our efforts to offend no one, it seems we often choose to avoid or offend someone. We aren’t always good at wrestling with the truth.
Respectfully…
AR