--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is political correctness, if not…" description: "\"What is political correctness, if not essentially redemptive speech? Soon liberalism had become a cultural identity that offered Americans a way to thi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b6/shelby-steele-3370_communication_what-is-political-correctness-if-not-ess_1455205.png" --- # What is political correctness, if not essentially… ![“What is political correctness, if not essentially redemptive speech? Soon liberalism had become a cultural identity that offered Americans a way to think of themselves as decent people. To be liberal was to be good.” quote by Shelby Steele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b6/shelby-steele-3370_communication_what-is-political-correctness-if-not-ess_1455205.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b6/shelby-steele-3370_communication_what-is-political-correctness-if-not-ess_1455205.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b6/shelby-steele-3370_communication_what-is-political-correctness-if-not-ess_1455205.png) > “What is political correctness, if not essentially redemptive speech? Soon liberalism had become a cultural identity that offered Americans a way to think of themselves as decent people. To be liberal was to be good.” [Shelby Steele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-steele/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Political correctness is framed as moral speech that seeks redemption, turning liberal identity into a virtue signifier. **In simple terms:** Redemptive speech masks power dynamics. Key Takeaway Question the motives behind moral language. Themes politics identity morality Mood critical reflective Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - political debate - media analysis - public policy - social media discourse Key Concepts Critical theory social control Questions to Reflect On - How does moral language shape political identity? - When does virtue signaling become counterproductive? A Different Perspective It can silence dissent and oversimplify complex issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Cultural identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cultural-identity/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Liberal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberal/) [Liberalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberalism/) [Political correctness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-correctness/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [There is nothing of which men are more liberal than their good advice, be their stock of it ever so small; because it seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-young/there-is-nothing-of-which-men-are-more-liberal-than-their-good-advice/) [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) > [I don't know about liberal bias, but people of a liberal mentality are probably attracted in greater numbers to the arts than people of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-pollack/i-don-t-know-about-liberal-bias-but-people-of-a-liberal-mentality-are/) [Sydney Pollack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-pollack/) > [In all those things which deal with people, be liberal, be human. 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