From Political Correctness to Conservative Correctness

Political correctness, the maligned and misunderstood term that was used by conservatives to help define the American Left in the 1990s is dead. Beaten to death by conservative image makers, talking heads, and politicians, political correctness came to be derided as the way through which liberals were softening America. As I see it, though, the movement toward political correctness was more about bringing increased humanity and consideration to our treatment of each other and the world than it was to undermining America’s social fiber. However, the conservative movement in America seized upon some arguably trite examples of political correctness "run amok" and embarked upon a strategy to belittle and marginalize anyone who advocates more diversity of opinion, humanity toward all, and respect for the rest of the world in American life.

A new type of correctness has emerged in its place and threatens to undermine America’s public discourse. I call it "conservative correctness," which I define as an attempt to change the way in which we consider and debate issues in America to ensure that conservative policy positions are seen as the only right way to go, even if the facts and circumstances argue differently. More often than not, changing the way in which we debate actually means not debating at all. That way, conservatives can innoculate themselves from a range of charges while maintaining their favored status quo.

The primary characteristic of conservative correctness is efforts by conservative media, academics, politicians, and their handlers to brand as unpatriotic, divisive, and even ungodly anyone who seeks to raise questions about the direction of conservative policy. To be conservatively correct, one must accept the tenets and approaches of conservatism as best in every circumstance and that all attempts to discuss or advocate alternatives must, for the good of the country, be squelched with dispatch.

So, those who call for serious change in our current health care system are charged with wanting "socialized medicine." Those who question U.S. motives in Iraq or wonder if this is all about oil run the risk of being charged with giving cover to Sadaam Hussein, Osama bin Laden and other terrorists. African Americans cannot raise racial issues in a serious way without being charged with "playing the race card." Consequently, debate about race in America has largely been muzzled, almost to the point of silence. Indeed, the recent retrospectives on the landmark Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka, Kansas have largely ignored the large gulf that still exists between the haves and have nots in American public education and what that portends for America’s future.

Talk radio is dominated by conservative voices who seek to destroy any debate that may call into question their political motives. As a result, our debates on important issues are being reduced to sound bite banter that only benefits a conservative movement that resists any substantial change in American public policy that challenges or offers alternatives to their favored status in contemporary America.

Conservative correctness is the rage of the day and America is worse off as a result.

© Michael K. Fauntroy
May 21, 2004