There’s another popular word that people say when they want permission to think freely: “Honestly,” or “Can I be honest?” Who answers no to that? “No, please no, by all means do NOT be honest!” Our speech has become like the over-protective childproofed home. There are plugs in the sockets, bumpers on every sharp corner, locks on the cabinets, and over-sanitized surfaces. If I were a two year old these days, I would be terribly insulted.

I’ve been hearing this phrase used a lot lately. Before a person begins sharing their thoughts, she may say something like, “I’m speaking openly here,” or, “Can I speak openly?” Yes! Please do! Tell me what you really think, or just keep your mouth closed.

The fact that this phrase is being uttered speaks to the level of spin and politically correct mire that our culture has now stepped in. Sure, we need to filter what we say a bit, that is a given. There are plenty of things on my mind that should never see the light of day. But that isn’t what this permission to speak is referring to. It is referring to the fact that we are now afraid to talk as independent thinkers. We have a constant guard up when we talk, afraid that our speech will not fall in the proper line of correctness. We are so anxious of offending, that we have adopted the ideology that everyone should be comfortable. And so our speech is expurgated.

There’s another popular word that people say when they want permission to think freely: “Honestly,” or “Can I be honest?” Who answers no to that? “No, please no, by all means do NOT be honest!” Our speech has become like the over-protective childproofed home. There are plugs in the sockets, bumpers on every sharp corner, locks on the cabinets, and over-sanitized surfaces. If I were a two year old these days, I would be terribly insulted.

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