I've pissed off more people than I can count by supporting political correctness. It's not that I'm happy to see hyper-sensitive douchebags shaming dissenters into submission - but I do find it preferable to legal remedies for social disputes. People can express their values through who and what they patronize. That seems reasonable to me, even if the values they're expressing are, expressly, unreasonable.
I've also offended many of my liberal friends by defending racists and bigots against legislation aimed at stifling their biases. Again, I'm not defending their beliefs, which I find largely repulsive. But I am defending their right to express those beliefs, both in speech and in action.
The thing is, in both cases, we're talking about the same social power: shunning. The vast bulk of human interaction is governed, not by laws as many would assume but, by informal social mores (aka PCism). People choose to support those they agree with, and avoid those they don't. That's how we collaboratively create a culture without resorting to violence. That's the way it ought to be.
We don't need oppressive laws to defend us from bigots. They can put up their "No Gays" or their "No Christians" signs and express their pathetic views. We can laugh at them, and PC them into submission. Or not. Maybe they're right and we're wrong.
I've also offended many of my liberal friends by defending racists and bigots against legislation aimed at stifling their biases. Again, I'm not defending their beliefs, which I find largely repulsive. But I am defending their right to express those beliefs, both in speech and in action.
The thing is, in both cases, we're talking about the same social power: shunning. The vast bulk of human interaction is governed, not by laws as many would assume but, by informal social mores (aka PCism). People choose to support those they agree with, and avoid those they don't. That's how we collaboratively create a culture without resorting to violence. That's the way it ought to be.
We don't need oppressive laws to defend us from bigots. They can put up their "No Gays" or their "No Christians" signs and express their pathetic views. We can laugh at them, and PC them into submission. Or not. Maybe they're right and we're wrong.