PC: What's the hubub?

Before the 90's the usage of the term politically correct was sparse. However, its usage increased after a speech by George H.W. Bush in 1991 for the University of Michigan commencement address. He began his address by talking about the strength of the United States coming from freedom. The freedom to do provided by free enterprise. It continued like this:

"But the power to create also rests on other freedoms, especially the freedom -- and I think about that right now -- to think and speak one's mind. [Applause] You see -- thank you. The freedom -- I had this written into the speech, and I didn't even know these guys were going to be here.

No, but seriously, the freedom to speak one's mind -- that may be the most fundamental and deeply revered of all our liberties. Americans, to debate, to say what we think -- because, you see, it separates good ideas from bad. It defines and cultivates the diversity upon which our national greatness rests. It tears off the blinders of ignorance and prejudice and lets us move on to greater things.

Ironically, on the 200th anniversary of our Bill of Rights, we find free speech under assault throughout the United States, including on some college campuses. The notion of political correctness has ignited controversy across the land. And although the movement arises from the laudable desire to sweep away the debris of racism and sexism and hatred, it replaces old prejudice with new ones. It declares certain topics off-limits, certain expression off-limits, even certain gestures off-limits."

So where did this term come from? Let's get into to that:

The first modern-use of the term came from the anthology published in 1970 by Tony Cade Bambara titled The Black Woman. This is a black feminist set of works. In The Black Woman she writes:

". . . a man cannot be politically correct and a chauvinist too."

Before this, the use of the term, it was used by socialists to argue against Communism. Politically correct was used at that time referring to the politically correct viewpoints the USSR gave to its citizens.

According to Nexis, a news organization, in 1990, there were 70 uses of political correct. However, in 1991 there were 1532 uses of political correct. And these uses have continued to increase since then.

What does it look like today?

Well institutions like Penn State have started campaigns to reduce the use of this non-PC language.
We are being discouraged by signs in residence halls of saying words like crazy, insane, ghetto because they could hurt someone's feelings.

Penn State has developed free speech zones, although they have existed for some time now. This is absurd. Every individual has freedom of expression through the first amendment of the U.S. constitution. There shouldn't be zones. Tt should be a free speech campus. The only speech that should be barred is speech that directly incites violence. Hate speech is allowed by law as long as it doesn't incite violence. You're allowed by law to hurt peoples' feelings - by law. Any institution that tries to control anyone's word-choice should be liable to be sued.