"I believe that political correctness can be a form of linguistic fascism, and it sends shivers down the spine of my generation who went to war against fascism"
About this Quote
P.D. James's quote reviews the idea of political accuracy, relating it metaphorically to "linguistic fascism". By using such strong language, she expresses deep concern about the capacity for political accuracy to suppress free expression and individuality, just like the overbearing routines of the past. The phrase "linguistic fascism" recommends that, in her view, political accuracy can end up being dictatorial in implementing what can and can not be stated, causing a constrained discourse that she believes echoes the authoritarian control she associates with fascism.
James's statement, especially the part about it sending "shivers down the spine of my generation", reflects an individual and historical perspective. She belonged to the generation that experienced World War II and saw the fluctuate of totalitarian programs. The allusion to her generation "who fought against fascism" magnifies the gravity of her critique, suggesting that those who fought versus overbearing routines would be especially conscious any perceived risks to freedom, even in the kind of social norms or cultural expectations like political correctness.
The quote also implicitly raises questions about the balance between level of sensitivity to others and the preservation of complimentary speech. Political accuracy is typically meant to promote inclusivity and prevent harm, but James appears to argue that it can overreach, suppressing individual expression in ways she discovers similar to previous tyrannies. Her point of view invites a more comprehensive conversation about how societies browse the tension between maintaining respectful discourse and avoiding the imposition of limiting linguistic rules that might suppress open conversation.
In contemporary debates, this quote acts as a poignant reminder to assess both the intents and the impacts of political accuracy. While going for a considerate society, it is crucial to make sure that, in the pursuit of inclusivity, the foundational concepts of free expression and open dispute are not inadvertently compromised.
