Manisha Manmohan
I’ve always been amazed by the impact a single word can have. We are taught that some words are “bad”, and learn that others are inappropriate. Being “politically correct” is something I’ve never quite been at ease with. It’s difficult to find the right balance between expression and consideration. Growing up in the Bay Area in a multicultural home, I was aware of the “correct” words early on. Some things could not be said.
Last Spring I spent the semester studying in Madrid. The rhythm of life in Madrid is very different from that of Boston. In Spain people take the time to enjoy their meals, they spend hours in cafes, and stay out late. They are also not really concerned with being politically correct. It’s okay to call small convenience stores typically run by Chinese families “Chinos.” It’s alright to classify people by the color of their skin. There was no such thing as “African-Spanish.” When I asked people if they were bothered by the terms that were used to define them the answer was no. Why should they be bothered? They were Chinese; their skin was dark. Words were not worth worrying about.
I was never quite comfortable with the total lack of “politically correct” terminology in Spain, but at the same time I feel that in this country being “PC” has taken on a life of its own. Maybe one day we’ll find some sort of middle ground.