We’re offended that we’re so easily offended.
Such is the finding of a recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute that asked Canadians our avoidance of certain words or actions that might offend marginalized groups has gone “too far.”
Seventy-six per cent of those surveyed said we have indeed gone too far in allowing Canada to be guided by a proverbial PC Principal. Unsurprisingly, the older the respondents, the more likely they were to believe we need to scale back on the PC – 82 per cent over the age of 55 said they shared that view, compared to 67 per cent of those 18-34.
Seriously, millennials? Learn how to take a joke.
Furthermore, two-thirds of Canadians believe “too many people are easily offended these days over the language others use,” while the other third said people “should be more careful with their words to avoid upsetting others with different backgrounds.”
The survey’s findings echo what’s been a growing sentiment among the country’s conservative class and politicians.
“We have a government that is so consumed with political correctness that it forgets what the everyday Canadian thinks about and is concerned about,” said Conservative Candice Bergen a few months ago after Prime Minister Justin “PC” Trudeau said he doesn’t think convicted terrorists should have their citizenship revoked.
Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper chose a sharper tone on the issue, calling it a “kind of elite political correctness on steroids.”
While being courteous and thoughtful to those around us when we speak doesn’t negatively affect anyone’s life, we probably can afford to chill out a bit.
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