Why should a would-be author even bother to concern themselves with Political Correctness?
Let’s use ivory as an example. Would it be okay for an author to write about the brutal killing of Elephants and the Black Market in ivory? Would there even be an audience for such a book?
Similarly, would it be politically incorrect for an author to create a magical object partly made of ivory in a fantasy or magic-realism novel.
Authors have the same problems if they choose to write about race, ethnicity, class, religion, or crimes committed by a particular group - and of course politics.
What should a book contain to be Politically Correct?
Must it have Black, White and Asian characters? Must they all have to be from the same social class and background? Must it have left-wing and right-wing characters? Should there be an equal mix of Heterosexual, Lesbian and Gay characters?
Of course not, that would be incongruous.
A writer should write what he or she knows about and stick two fingers up to those who object. Why some of you may ask? It’s because we live in a democracy in which freedom of speech plays an active part in our daily lives – and long may it do so.
Under good old Joe Stalin, it was the death knell for creative artistic expression. Artists, Writers and Classical composers, were killed for not toeing the communist line. Russian art suffered severely as a consequence.
How dumbed-down and dull books would be if authors concerned themselves with every aspect of Political Correctness.
As much as aspects of Political Correctness have helped to civilise society, it is darkly oppressive at its core. At its worst, Political Correctness represents a virtual gagging filter placed between the thoughts of an individual and the vocal expression of them.
It is a social conditioning designed to seriously limit free expression and exchange of ideas.
I agree, Victoria. PC has become synonymous with too many negative connotations, too often used as justification to undermine legitimate concerns about inequality. I can think of a no more obvious recent example than of the delightful Mr Trump, who 'refuses to be PC' and instead, thinks it's perfectly acceptable to refer to women as pigs and grab them by the .... Well everyone knows what he said - women being just one of the groups he spews hateful rhetoric about.
So yes, in my humble opinion, writers should be concerned about the respect and rights of others. Words have incredible power. Writers, of all people, know this.
Ok. I'm sure middle-class, white, heterosexual males feel oppressed not being able to say what they want.
But... should a writer be able to throw in racial slurs, unrelated to the plot, because they want to? Should a writer throw in a bit of rape and violence without addressing it just for a bit of titillation? Can I say what I like about You (the royal you please don't takes things personally) and defend myself under 'freedom of expression'? You might say ' but I'm a real person'. Characters is books are real people to the readers who identify with them. Just as porn teaches boys what to expect from women and magazines teach girls what they should be- literature has power. Do not underestimate your words. The phrase political correctness has become cumbersome, itself loaded with political connotations. How about we substitute it with the word respect or responsibility and read your question again.
In writing for children, I concern myself greatly with respect, struggling not to instil any stereotypes of gender, race and yes, to make all those who society consider as other feel included, real and normal- even respected.
So yes, do bother. It is difficult. Inequality is deeply embedded in our culture and language. Mistakes are made. Take for instance the recent eeny meeny miney mo incident in the news. Should the writers have stuck two fingers up at the history of slavery? Make an effort and if someone points out something offensive that you hadn't noticed then that's what editing is for.
I'm sure there are many mistakes in my typing, dear Em, but G is currently rubbing porridge into my hair.