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Politically Correct

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Lily: One problem with political correctness is that it's enforced by an elite group of people who push their own ethical worldview onto everyone. Like a girl from India who got forced into a marriage at age eighteen... gets called out for being transphobic because she's not familiar with Euro-centric progressive terminology. As if SHE has any idea what the freedom to express internal gender is like. Most people who LIVE with the systemic issues that affect minority groups haven't LEARNED PC language, and THEY end up getting TARGETED for it.
Simon: Yeah, it's not a perfect system. Political correctness is a model for showing sensitivity towards minority groups. But it only works if we continually strive for a more thorough understanding of how to respect them, rather than enforcing strict rules with an iron rod.

Freedom of Speech

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Simon: Some people say political correctness is opposed to freedom of speech. But no one is getting PROSECUTED by the GOVERNMENT for using offensive terms. People just DISAGREE with them. If you wanted freedom of speech, wouldn't you support that?
(One person says "I'm offended," another says "Stop taking away my rights!")
Lily: Yeah, it's not a government issue. But there ARE universities that shut down dialogue to favor PC ideologies.
Simon: Well, I'd kick someone out of class for spouting bigotry. You can say what you want, but you have to face the CONSEQUENCES. People will enact disciplinary measures when the situation calls for it.
Lily: But when are the consequences reasonable? When you get thrown in jail? Punched in the face? Marked down on an essay for pushing a right-wing idea?
(Someone has an essay titled "Fetuses Deserve to Live" and there's red ink that says "no they don't" and an F)
Lily: The government isn't the only entity that can suppress the free exchange of ideas. Simon: True.

The Authority of Teachers

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Paige: Simon, Claire questioned my authority in class today. She said that YOU said that teachers aren't always right and students don't have to agree with us.
Simon: Do you think that's not true?
Paige: Of course it's TRUE but you can't SAY in in front of all your students! It encourages disruption. Look, you're new at this. I get it. You're young and idealistic and you want everyone to be free to learn in their own way. But once you have a few years dealing with difficult students taking advantage of you, you'll be singing a different tune.
Simon: I know I have a lot to learn, but I'd rather adapt my teaching style according to my OWN experience.
Paige: That's fine and dandy if it doesn't affect MY ability to teach MY students.
Simon: sigh I'll talk to Claire.
Paige: Thank you.

Claire's Experience

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Claire: Mrs. Castle says a LOT of wrong things, and if anyone corrects her, she gets mad. Today she said clouds are made of water vapor. I said "They're actually made of DROPLETS." She gave this whole "I'm the teacher, don't argue with me" lecture as usual, and I said that YOU said that we don't have to blindly agree with teachers. And she was like "This isn't HIS class, it's MY class," and threatened to give me detention, and that was it. Am I in the wrong? What's the point of school if we have to listen to stuff that's not TRUE?
Simon: No, I totally get where you're coming from. But I can't say how my ideas will go over in other classes, and I don't want you to get in trouble.
Claire: So you're saying I shouldn't speak up?
Simon: I'm not saying ANYTHING. Don't listen to ME. Make your own choices.

Criticism

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Simon: It's my first year teaching. I don't know how much to pay attention to criticism from other teachers.
Jordan: People have a lot of opinions about how things oughta be done. Take it from someone who can't AFFORD to care what other people think: life gets better after you give that up.
Carl: Daddy, Daddy! Watch this.
Jordan: Just trust yourself, man. People don't learn by being criticized.
Carl: Simon! Watch this.
Jordan: See, I didn't tell Carl how to do a cartwheel.
(Carl does a cartwheel)
Simon: Wow, good job!
Jordan: I mean, hell if I know how to do one.
Carl: It's a CARL wheel.

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