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I believe that political correctness can be a form of linguistic fascism, and it sends shivers down the spine of my generation who went to war against fascism.
P. D. James
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Political correctness can suppress free speech and evoke fear among those who fought against oppressive regimes.

P. D. James critiques the concept of political correctness by comparing it to fascism, suggesting that it can restrict open dialogue and freedom of expression. This mindset may resonate particularly with individuals from previous generations who have experienced the harsh realities of war against true fascism, leading them to feel uncomfortable or threatened by modern constraints on speech.

Themes

Political CorrectnessFascismFree SpeechFearGeneration

In practice

Example use cases

During a debate about freedom of speech, this quote can be used to highlight concerns about political correctness.

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