With the world thriving in an increasingly globalised society that attempts to simultaneously break cultural borders and feed national security paranoia, the concept of political correctness has reached its climax.

It is defined as ‘the avoidance of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against’. While this principle was initially created to protect those who are regularly penalised, its intention has inevitably swayed and is forcing society to be wary of everything they say. Is this attacking our civil liberty of free speech?

Student Aysha Uddin, a member of the political climate through her role as Head of Student Council, agrees on the restrictions that political correctness creates. She states that, “Yes, I feel like I can’t speak my mind without offending someone else. I don’t think there’s a solution to this problem-it’s hopeless.” With young people having such a strong history in the political atmosphere, a prime example being the 1968 riots in Grosvenor, to witness that they feel uncomfortable in expressing themselves is an important issue.

With British society thriving in a sensitive political era because of national security issues, the constant threat of war and a general election that could redefine us, the concept of political correctness is questioned. While it is agreed that discrimination, racism or verbal abuse is disgraceful, the integration of political correctness into our everyday speech is not only a burden, but an imposition on our rights.

By Nafisa Ehsan, Woodford County High School