This Page: Political Correctness and Postmodernism Conclusion Notes / Further Reading

Mind Games Survival Course Manual

5. Conclusion

   1. Political correctness assigns an "oppressed" label to some groups and an "oppressor" label to others; guilt is determined by membership in a given social group. But Christianity teaches that we all have sinned. No people group, gender, or economic class is exempt from a fallen nature. Likewise, the solution to pervasive evil found in the world is not socialism, but rather becoming a new creature in Christ.

   2. There is no question that our society is becoming more pluralistic and diverse. There are now more Moslems than Episcopalians in America, but this is not a good reason to dismiss our country's cultural, religious, and philosophical foundations. These roots have resulted in a great deal of personal freedom and material wealth. Saying this does not imply that we are not in need of reform, but those doing the reforming would be better equipped for the job if they were familiar with the original forms of government and belief that brought our nation into being.

Notes

1. Marc T. Muller, "Deconstruction: The Crisis of Values and Truth in the Academy," SCP Journal, 16:4, 25.

2. Dinesh D'Souza, Illiberal Education: The Politics of Race and Sex on Campus (New York: Free Press, 1991), 157.

3. Allan Bloom, The Closing of The American Mind (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1987), 25.

4. D'Souza, Illiberal Education, 179.

5. Ibid., 180.

6. Gene Veith, Postmodern Times (Wheaton Ill.: Crossway Books, 1994), 158.

7. Ibid., 182.

8. D'Souza, Illiberal Education, 182.

9. William A. Henry, III, "The Politics of Separation," Time (Special Issue on Racial Issues), Fall 1993, 73.

10. Unless noted otherwise, these examples are from Dinesh D'Souza's book Illiberal Education.

For Further Reading

Bloom, Allan. The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today's Students. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1987.

This book started the backlash against politically correct thinking. Dr. Bloom divided his book into sections on the student, the culture (Nihilism, American Style) and the university. The first and last sections are what most people will be interested in.

Gaede, S. D. When Tolerance is No Virtue: Political Correctness, Multiculturalism & the Future of Truth & Justice. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1993.

Written from a distinctively Christian perspective, this book analyzes the P.C. movement and offers a plan for how the body of Christ should respond. This would be a good book to start with, particularly for college students.

Thibodaux, David. Political Correctness: The Cloning of the American Mind. Lafayette, Louisiana: Huntington House, 1992.

As a professor on a secular campus, Dr. Thibodaux has had first hand experience with PC influence. His book highlights the effects that multiculturalism, Afrocentrism, Genderism, and other PCisms have had on our schools.

Rorty, Richard. Contingency, Irony, and Solidarity. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1989.

Writing as a postmodernist, Rorty is very open about his desire to bring about a liberal utopia by changing the way we use words to describe our society and ourselves. Although it might be tough sledding for some, it's worth the effort.

Veith, Gene Edward. Postmodern Times. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 1994.

After defining what postmodernism is Dr. Veith explains its impact on art, society and religion. The book is filled with helpful examples of how postmodernists approach the issues of our day and how their ideas might shape our culture.

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