Dear Parents,
One of the core subjects required for the awarding of the IB Diploma is the successful completion of the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course. Recently in my DP1 class we explored the topic of Political Correctness (PC) present in our world today and the effects thereof. We looked at the history of this concept and how it has gone from a very genuine attempt to highlight some of the worst social injustices in the 60’s and 70’s to what it is today. Day after day in the news we hear stories of people getting into trouble for silly (or ill conceived) comments made about race, religion, gender inequality, to name but a few.
As a class we agreed that for ideas to evolve or new ideas or solutions to be “created”, one needs to have a discourse that may at times be uncomfortable and challenging. In fact, history is littered with such examples of intense debates resulting in the establishment of some of the most important cornerstones of our modern day society. Some of these include the basic rights of man, equality of woman, the end of slavery, the recognition of minority groups, etc. Without these intense debates and “clash of ideas” some of these important milestones in our history may not have ever materialised.
The fear today is that with a society so focused on not saying the wrong thing, hurting someone else’s feelings, or getting into trouble etc., we are refraining from having these essential debates and arguments needed to stimulate new ideas and therefore necessary change. Many will agree that this is not good for any advancing society.
One thing for sure about the IB curriculum, is that we can challenge what needs to be challenged, we can debate these controversial topics and we can agree to disagree with each other. All of this as long as we treat each other with mutual respect and remain open minded to hearing the “other side”. This is what I love about the IB Curriculum….. and it is something that I hope will never disappear. My DP students can testify that any and all debates are allowed in class – it is a safe place free from condemnation and restraint and it is a place where numerous and varied questions are allowed. Everything is UP for debate.
That, in my view, is the point of education and the point of helping to mold and shape the future minds of the next generation. We must ensure that we are not so scared of being too Politically Correct that we fail to see the opportunities that may arise through great (and sometimes uncomfortable) debates and seeking the answers to the many questions we have. And as always my view is that the key to this is “not what we say but how we say it”.
Kind regards,
Grant Ruskovich