The ‘Cruel Kids’ Are Still Rebelling Against Political Correctness
Following Donald Trump’s unexpected victory in the 2016 election, I concluded that an underrated aspect of his appeal was his vocal opposition to political correctness. In an article exploring this topic in the immediate aftermath of the election results, I observed that “political-correctness-run-amok and liberal overreach would lead to a counter-revolution if unchecked. That counter-revolution just happened.”
“There is a cost to depriving people of the freedom (in both the legal and social senses) to speak their mind,” I wrote. “The presidency just went to the guy whose main qualification, according to his supporters, is that he isn’t afraid to speak his.”
That parenthetical—”in both the legal and social senses”—is vital to understanding what we mean when we complain about political correctness run amok. The First Amendment vigorously protects controversial, confrontational, and, indeed, hateful speech, so it is somewhat uncommon for people to suffer genuine legal ramifications for said speech, although it does happen—particularly on university campuses. Organizations like the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, the Pacific Legal Foundation, and (less frequently these days) the American Civil Liberties Union exist to defend Americans whose First Amendment rights are challenged by the government.
It is quite common, however, for people to pay a social or professional price for unwelcome speech. I used to document these cases for Reason with some frequency: They regularly involved nonfamous people losing their employment or social standing after someone—often a social rival or scoop-hungry journalist—went looking for ugly tweets or texts they sent during their adolescence. These tweets were usually described as having “resurfaced,” as if they called attention to themselves without any assistance, when really it was malicious, self-interested people who surfaced them for cynical reasons, usually during a celebratory moment for the target. Take, for instance, Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray having to endure news story after news story about the fact that he had sent some vaguely antigay tweets while in high school.
Noncelebrities get it much worse. Consider the case of Mimi Groves, a teenager whose life was virtually destroyed after a vindictive classmate posted a short, three-second video of her saying the n-word while driving. The slur was not directed at anyone in particular; the quote was literally, “I can drive, [n-word].” Groves had just earned her learner’s permit. This is the sort of thing that should have produced a st
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
