It seems that the police of political correctness have infiltrated the editorial ranks of the Harvard Press. I can understand the reasoning behind legally losing my rights to publicly advocate for certain political parties or candidates when I served with the United States Air Force, but where is the reasoning to so restrict a private citizen who happens to voluntarily serve as a member of a town organization?
It might be awkward and uncomfortable, but clear and open debate demands truthfulness and honest opinion rather than pleasantries and niceties as political correctness demands. Are we to ask our future town volunteers and employees to promise not to advocate for certain candidates for town office? If so, where do we stop with those restrictions? The prospect of requiring members of our town organizations to politely hold hands in total harmony as they head off in the wrong direction is the very worst of political correctness.
Of course, it would be nice if we could all agree with each other and it would be nice if we didn’t have to experience the awkwardness of disagreeing with our friends and neighbors. But such disagreements do not also mean that we cannot be professionals when we are on our town jobs and such disagreements do not also mean that we cannot enjoy each other’s company at any other time.
So, let us honestly express our opinions on important matters pertaining to our town but let us also be professionals when we’re on the job for our town, and let us continue to be good friends when we meet each other at other times.
Joe Theriault
Tahanto Trail
