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Essay / Education-Focused Assimilation - 1974
The American education system has existed almost unchanged for hundreds of years. As the system itself remains the same, the course content remains the same. The debate over which courses should or should not be required or even offered has turned into a question of policy. As the movement toward more political correctness expands, so does its influence on the education system. Education on racial issues, once considered necessary, is now suppressed. A university that thrives on the fear-based proposals put forward by the politically correct movement ultimately decides to eliminate courses that could be falsely perceived as discriminatory. There is only one question that needs to be asked due to this new trend. Is political correctness being used to target and eliminate racial issues from the classroom in an attempt to assimilate all cultures? Using three arguments, this article will seek to support the idea that imposing political correctness in a classroom eliminates racial problems and attempts to assimilate minorities. First, political correctness requires a change in both the educational structure and the student. Second, political correctness equates both the language and the actions of individuals. Third, a discussion about white domination is necessary to end forced assimilation and create mutual respect for differences. Even though political correctness seems like a good thing on the surface, the concept can be used as a weapon to try to shut down unwanted discussions. A highly regarded Harvard professor was finally forced to stop offering his course “Populating America” because of its focus on racial issues. (Taylor, 198). Although the Harvard professor taught the same course as ...... middle of article ...... the ideals of political correctness target and assimilate cultural differences. PC ideals require followers to think the same way, act the same way, discuss things the same way, and avoid all the same questions. Uniformity is not the solution to resolving cultural differences. When uniformity is prioritized, it creates a binary that allows individuals to be seen as part of the group or as different. It is this categorization of individuals that allows the elite to manipulate and oppress individuals in the United States. Elites can target a group and the majority will find this justified as that group is not part of the unit. The alternative, however, is to allow discussions about differences to take place. If our society can respect differences instead of trying to assimilate them, then we will have an entire group that can include any form of minority..