--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As much as some people like to put down…" description: "\"As much as some people like to put down 'political correctness,' if it wasn't for political correctness, I wouldn't be free right now.\" — W. Kamau Bell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d0/w-kamau-bell-3541_free_as-much-as-some-people-like-to-put-down_1465965.jpg" --- # As much as some people like to put down 'political… ![“As much as some people like to put down 'political correctness,' if it wasn't for political correctness, I wouldn't be free right now.” quote by W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d0/w-kamau-bell-3541_free_as-much-as-some-people-like-to-put-down_1465965.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d0/w-kamau-bell-3541_free_as-much-as-some-people-like-to-put-down_1465965.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d0/w-kamau-bell-3541_free_as-much-as-some-people-like-to-put-down_1465965.jpg) > “As much as some people like to put down 'political correctness,' if it wasn't for political correctness, I wouldn't be free right now.” [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) ## 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 protects free speech by setting boundaries that enable open dialogue. **In simple terms:** Correctness safeguards freedom. Key Takeaway Appreciate the role of norms. Themes free speech social norms politics Mood thoughtful defensive Type analytical commentary When to use this quote - media commentary - activism - public speaking Key Concepts censorship public discourse Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance respect and freedom? - What limits should speech have? A Different Perspective If norms become too restrictive, they can stifle creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Political correctness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-correctness/) ## Related quotes > [“Wouldn't it be more of a free country," persisted Francie "if we could ride in them free?" "No." "Why?" "Because that would be Socialism,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/wouldn-t-it-be-more-of-a-free-country-persisted-francie-if-we-could/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [If political correctness has achieved one thing, it’s that it has made the Conservative party cloak their inherent racism behind more creative language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-lee/if-political-correctness-has-achieved-one-thing-it-s-that-it-has-made/) [Stewart Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-lee/) > [I think you have to judge everything based on your personal taste. And if that means being critical, so be it. I hate political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-cowell/i-think-you-have-to-judge-everything-based-on-your-personal-taste-and/) [Simon Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-cowell/) > [Racism is not about hurtful words, bruised feelings, political correctness, or refusing to call short people 'vertically challenged.' Racism is about the power to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-zirin/racism-is-not-about-hurtful-words-bruised-feelings-political/) [Dave Zirin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-zirin/) > [I like the free-speech stuff, the political-correctness stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milo-yiannopoulos/i-like-the-free-speech-stuff-the-political-correctness-stuff/) [Milo Yiannopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milo-yiannopoulos/) > [To speak plainly and truthfully about the state of our world - to say, for instance, that the Bible and the Koran both contain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/to-speak-plainly-and-truthfully-about-the-state-of-our-world-to-say/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [In this era of political correctness, some people seem unaware that being squeamish about words can mean being blind to realities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/in-this-era-of-political-correctness-some-people-seem-unaware-that/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [“You see political correctness is just like any other religion. It’s based on faith, impervious to logic, always looking for converts and its true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-r-white-jr/you-see-political-correctness-is-just-like-any-other-religion-it-s/) [E.R. White Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-r-white-jr/) > [The truth is that this culture of political correctness has tied the hands of law enforcement around the USA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-truth-is-that-this-culture-of-political-correctness-has-tied-the/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [Political correctness is neither political nor is it correct. It amounts to social censorship, and the sooner we spit it out, the better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/political-correctness-is-neither-political-nor-is-it-correct-it/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [You get so tired of political correctness. I'm noted for speaking out all my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-arpaio/you-get-so-tired-of-political-correctness-i-m-noted-for-speaking-out/) [Joe Arpaio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-arpaio/) > [Political correctness is a thing of leftist radicals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jair-bolsonaro/political-correctness-is-a-thing-of-leftist-radicals/) [Jair Bolsonaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jair-bolsonaro/) > [Another plague upon the land, as devastating as the locusts God loosed on the Egyptians, is 'Political Correctness.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlton-heston/another-plague-upon-the-land-as-devastating-as-the-locusts-god-loosed/) [Charlton Heston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlton-heston/) > [Political correctness is a major defect of the western ethos. Some Western countries have even passed blasphemy laws that would put you in legal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-sina/political-correctness-is-a-major-defect-of-the-western-ethos-some/) [Ali Sina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-sina/) > [Whether it's people walking off 'The View' when Bill O'Reilly makes a statement about radical Islam or Juan Williams being fired for expressing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-cantor/whether-it-s-people-walking-off-the-view-when-bill-o-reilly-makes-a/) [Eric Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-cantor/) ## More by W. Kamau Bell > [As a black man, I actually had naturally sort of comedic curiosity about the Klan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/as-a-black-man-i-actually-had-naturally-sort-of-comedic-curiosity/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [The country should be more inclusive, not less inclusive, and over an infinite timeline, it becomes more inclusive. It doesn't always happen at once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/the-country-should-be-more-inclusive-not-less-inclusive-and-over-an/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [We could do something set in the 21st century, where I travel around to lots of different places and we talk to different ethnicities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/we-could-do-something-set-in-the-21st-century-where-i-travel-around/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [I feel like, as a black guy, I can't not believe in God... I'd wake up in the morning, 'I'm black, and there's no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/i-feel-like-as-a-black-guy-i-can-t-not-believe-in-god-i-d-wake-up-in/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [For some people, the definition of who is and who isn't an American defies logic, historical accuracy, common sense, decency, good manners, the milk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/for-some-people-the-definition-of-who-is-and-who-isn-t-an-american/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [I'm happy that I know how to speak 'Southern.' I spent a lot of time in Alabama throughout my life. I even lived there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/i-m-happy-that-i-know-how-to-speak-southern-i-spent-a-lot-of-time-in/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [The downside to defining everything Chinese as different than American is that all things Chinese then become exotic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/the-downside-to-defining-everything-chinese-as-different-than/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [Comedy can be very deep sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/comedy-can-be-very-deep-sometimes/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [I never wanted to be in the late-night talk show wars, and I think somehow with 'Totally Biased,' I got caught up in all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/i-never-wanted-to-be-in-the-late-night-talk-show-wars-and-i-think/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [There's no religion in this country that is more misunderstood, mis-categorized, and misidentified than Islam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/there-s-no-religion-in-this-country-that-is-more-misunderstood-mis/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [As a black person in this country, I am always frustrated by the lack of attention my people's issues get. But at least the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/as-a-black-person-in-this-country-i-am-always-frustrated-by-the-lack/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [I'm just another non-native whose mom told him we were part-Cherokee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/i-m-just-another-non-native-whose-mom-told-him-we-were-part-cherokee/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [Whenever I tell people in Berkeley, Calif., where I live, that I'm headed to the beach in Alabama, they are shocked. Most people outside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/whenever-i-tell-people-in-berkeley-calif-where-i-live-that-i-m-headed/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [Cops should not be separate from the black community or any community. Their salaries are paid for by the communities they police. They should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/cops-should-not-be-separate-from-the-black-community-or-any-community/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [In most major cities, you can find stores for urban homesteaders. They sell everything you need so that you won't need anything. Sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/in-most-major-cities-you-can-find-stores-for-urban-homesteaders-they/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) [Explore all 128 W. Kamau Bell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) ## More Correctness quotes > [Whether it's people walking off 'The View' when Bill O'Reilly makes a statement about radical Islam or Juan Williams being fired for expressing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-cantor/whether-it-s-people-walking-off-the-view-when-bill-o-reilly-makes-a/) [Eric Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-cantor/) > [Martyrdom has always been a proof of the intensity, never of the correctness of a belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schnitzler/martyrdom-has-always-been-a-proof-of-the-intensity-never-of-the/) [Arthur Schnitzler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schnitzler/) > [Political correctness is a major defect of the western ethos. Some Western countries have even passed blasphemy laws that would put you in legal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-sina/political-correctness-is-a-major-defect-of-the-western-ethos-some/) [Ali Sina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-sina/) > [Another plague upon the land, as devastating as the locusts God loosed on the Egyptians, is 'Political Correctness.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlton-heston/another-plague-upon-the-land-as-devastating-as-the-locusts-god-loosed/) [Charlton Heston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlton-heston/) > [Political correctness is a thing of leftist radicals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jair-bolsonaro/political-correctness-is-a-thing-of-leftist-radicals/) [Jair Bolsonaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jair-bolsonaro/) > [The job of formal methods is to elucidate the assumptions upon which formal correctness depends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hoare/the-job-of-formal-methods-is-to-elucidate-the-assumptions-upon-which/) [Tony Hoare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hoare/) > [All this discussion though politically correct, is dead beyond destruction though it leaves me quite erect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/live-band/all-this-discussion-though-politically-correct-is-dead-beyond/) [Live (Band](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/live-band/) > [We all have Tumblr, and we all have Instagram and everything. People care so much about it because, now, any random can be famous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/we-all-have-tumblr-and-we-all-have-instagram-and-everything-people/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [“No one in the world can shake you up if you are correct. First comes ‘correctness’ and then comes exactness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/no-one-in-the-world-can-shake-you-up-if-you-are-correct-first-comes/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [You get so tired of political correctness. I'm noted for speaking out all my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-arpaio/you-get-so-tired-of-political-correctness-i-m-noted-for-speaking-out/) [Joe Arpaio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-arpaio/) > [Political correctness is neither political nor is it correct. It amounts to social censorship, and the sooner we spit it out, the better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/political-correctness-is-neither-political-nor-is-it-correct-it/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [The truth is that this culture of political correctness has tied the hands of law enforcement around the USA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-truth-is-that-this-culture-of-political-correctness-has-tied-the/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [“You see political correctness is just like any other religion. It’s based on faith, impervious to logic, always looking for converts and its true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-r-white-jr/you-see-political-correctness-is-just-like-any-other-religion-it-s/) [E.R. White Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-r-white-jr/) > [In this era of political correctness, some people seem unaware that being squeamish about words can mean being blind to realities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/in-this-era-of-political-correctness-some-people-seem-unaware-that/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [To speak plainly and truthfully about the state of our world - to say, for instance, that the Bible and the Koran both contain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/to-speak-plainly-and-truthfully-about-the-state-of-our-world-to-say/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) Browse all 313 Correctness quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As much as some people like to put down 'political correctness,' if it wasn't for political correctness, I wouldn't be free right now.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "W. 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