Political correctness, that renowned and growing source of hilarity, has become a little frightening of late. Take Barack Obama’s overblown and much-publicised apology to a female reporter for calling her ‘sweetie’, which made the news last week.
To hold off a premature press enquiry during a talk at the Chrysler car plant in Detroit, Obama dared to utter ‘Hold on one second, sweetie’ before resuming his talk. The supposed venom behind this vaguely sexist term is a perfect example of the hideous political correctness by which Western society is gripped by. Frankly, I can’t think of a more innocuous word. When did indicating someone’s sweetness (a female-specific sweetness, perhaps) become unacceptable?
I can respect feminist indignation about real injustices such as the wage gap, but everyday ‘sexism’ is such a precarious notion. Men, traditionally older ones, will drop in a few fond names for women they meet – ‘sweetheart’, ‘darling’, ‘love’, or my personal Welsh favourite, ‘lovely’. This stems, I am certain, from a culture of politeness and gentlemanly conduct. Granted, in the case of some lecherous old perv with a husky voice, ‘sweetheart’ might make you a little uncomfortable. But being greeted by a friendly ‘Alright, lovely?’ really brightens up my day. In a frosty, aloof society, where making eye contact on the bus is considered harassment, a little affectionate language here and there is sorely needed.
Obama’s apology is clearly the result of some oversensitive concern within his campaign team, but I’m sure no one respects him any more for the belated eating of his words. The journalist concerned, Peggy Agar, told state news that she had not been offended by the term so much as the blatant dodging of her question, adding: “I’ve been called worse.” The desire to neutralise gender language – the ‘his or hers’s’, the chairpersons, the police officers – is also exhausting. What policewoman is going to be offended by the recognition of her sex? Surely neutering her gender simply plays down the fact that women can achieve such status?
The more women complain about this pseudo-sexism, the more irrational, oversensitive and petty they seem, and therefore arguably less capable of positions of power and responsibility.
Male political correctness is even more ridiculous; Obama’s professed ‘bad habit’ of using endearments towards strangers is hardly the monstrous epicentre of sexual inequality. In fact, it’s a bad habit I think we should all reclaim, especially in bustling city areas of the US and Britain.
Yes, there is a line between ‘sweetie’ and ‘sweetcheeks’ but everybody is well acquainted with that line and few would cross it intentionally. Just like that ancient offence, wolf-whistling, a well-meant endearment is the kind of sexism that women publicly bristle at, while privately enjoying the attention. Newsflash, western world: women and men are different. Emphasising this in language is inevitable, and these trivial displays of male condescension won’t dampen any of the professionalism and talent of women.
Obama never did answer Agar’s question; perhaps she should have commented on men’s inability to multi-task, continuing the good-natured sexism that is only based on fact. Let the Americans tangle over political correctness by all means, but keep the wolf-whistles, endearments and stereotypes over here before British culture loses its warmth and humour entirely.
