Social culture is based on focusing on how people react to each other, whether it is in a political light, individual or through daily interaction with a group of people.

Sometimes those actions can be severely negative and have lasting effects on those involved, as a result of victims being bullied, assaulted and discriminated against.

Today’s political climate can be especially harmful with the rise of anti-political correctness and reversal of legislation that protects transgender individuals.

Connotations of “being politically correct” have been skewed by the mainstream media and political figureheads to be a complex task when in reality, being politically correct, especially on a college campus like Shippensburg University, can be as simple as addressing someone by his or her correct pronouns and using his or her preferred name.

It may seem silly to focus on topics such as these, but social climate depends on discourse like this to educate people on how to provide a safe and understanding environment for those who do not identify as cisgendered (when individuals’ gender aligns with their biological sex).

SU strives for diversity, ranging from race, religion to sexual identity, and a vital step to appropriate discourse is to assess the situation with an open mind.

Coming to a college that is so diverse also institutes a common courtesy standard and being aware that not everyone you come into contact with will be the same as you. Try to allow yourself to be courteous of others in a situation in which appropriate discourse is needed.

With this kind of outlook on situations, discussion can transfer over to talking about respect as a whole, which can lead to a safer work, academic and social environment.

In the heated political environment we live in, ideas can cross between what is appropriate as well as what is discriminatory and derogatory. Discussing appropriate discourse is the leading problem-solver when situations arise.

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