I’m from a small town in the Midwest where basketball — or “African handball” as it’s sometimes called there — is a lesser sport because of the race of people who predominantly participate in it. There is still the occasional cross-burning in the yard of black families who just moved in to town, and there are regular Ku Klux Klan meetings which are supposedly full of policemen, businessmen and even teachers from local schools. I grew up around people to whom being a race other than “white” was something to be ashamed of, an unlucky assault of nature. Our well-meaning parents taught us to be overly sensitive to those of other races to the point of pity.

When I moved to California, I was overwhelmed by the diversity. According to the US Census Bureau, only 59 percent of people in California are white, compared with around 75 percent of Midwesterners. It was uncomfortable for a while; I could never be sure how the different races would interact. What I didn’t realize at the time was just how different people’s mentalities are here. At first, it was so refreshing and eye-opening to be in this environment. After awhile, though, I’ve started to notice people on the other end of the spectrum of bigotry.

Sometimes political correctness is just as ignorance-ridden as racism. It’s as if calling someone “black” is an insult. To me, saying “people of color” is just as offensive as the N-word. This phrase sounds like more of an apology for not being white rather than a description of a race of people. It’s no wonder black people prefer their race to be referred to as “black.” Personally, I’d rather be called “white” than “devoid of color.” Coming from a place where racism can be readily witnessed on an everyday level, it is sad to see people who claim to be progressive tiptoe around the color of someone’s skin.

Political correctness, while undoubtedly well-intentioned in most cases, has caused us to be too easily offended. As with women’s rights, there was a very obvious need for the civil rights movement in the past, and we should be proud with how far we’ve come.

But can people take political correctness too far and use it to their advantage? I’ve heard it a thousand times: Someone claims they didn’t get a job because they aren’t white, aren’t male or aren’t young, rather than because they aren’t qualified. Is this bigotry on the part of the potential employer, or a lack of personal responsibility on the part of the potential employee? No one can deny that racism still exists, but there are so many ways to overcome it that it seems ridiculous to let it get to the point of a lawsuit.

Of course, I have no idea what it’s like to be part of a minority race, just as I can’t judge someone’s parenting because I have no children of my own. However, people who can overcome the odds — those who use the mistreatment of others to fire their ambition — are heroes in my eyes. Being discriminated against for one’s race shouldn’t be overcome by a lawsuit or other retaliation. The only way to truly win against cowards such as these is to prove them wrong; do whatever you can to become more than they ever thought possible.

People are mistreated in America every day for their race, religion or gender. Also, there are people who receive scholarships, are accepted to great schools and are not fired from jobs — despite poor performance — for the exact same reasons. People now fear retaliation for discrimination, even if their race had nothing to do with the situation.

This overcompensation for past and present racism has led us to the point we are at today, where we have to watch our words and our backs. What a depressing situation to be in. And it’s nobody’s fault, but our own.