The issue of political correctness is a contentious one. Particularly in modern times, matters of political correctness fuel emotionally charged debates on the true status of racial, gender and sexual equality in our society. This has caused a divergence in both ideals and practices where sensitive social matters are concerned.

In one faction, proponents of political correctness have lauded the use of new terms considered less derogatory, stereotyped and biased when compared to old terms. While there is much more to political correctness than mere word choice, a change in terminology might imply a change in underlying perspectives — a shift, the proponents might argue, toward higher social awareness and competence.

The other faction is perhaps best described as reactionary — call them the opponents of political correctness. They seek to subvert political correctness with deliberate incorrectness. This movement has become quite popular, and it's not because of extant racism, sexism or homophobia — at least not directly.

Rather, it is because PC opponents often employ comedy as the means of expressing their sentiments. And people like to laugh. In fact, paradoxically, it has become increasingly possible — even cool — to support both factions at once.

It is difficult to imagine the scope of comedy and modern political and social commentary without the creative works of Dave Chappelle, Carlos Mencia, South Park or Family Guy. An informal poll of friends will likely reveal that one or more of these is known and enjoyed by, I'm betting, a whole lot of us.

The crux of this brand of entertainment, however, lies in a level of political incorrectness that would be unimaginable in our day-to-day lives. What is it that makes political incorrectness funny at home but unacceptable, say, on campus?

The answer is obvious — comedic political incorrectness is presented in jest and thus has far less severe implications than it would otherwise. Is it truly paradoxical, then, to appreciate the messages of both the "correct" and "incorrect" factions?

Probably.

Jest does not preclude real social impact, and the growing acceptance of increasingly outrageous comedy evidences this. The majority of society today may propound greater political correctness than it did only a few decades ago, but the political comedy of today would almost certainly horrify the societies of decades past.

Perhaps the core issue is that we are generally becoming more correct publicly and formally while becoming less correct privately and informally.

If this is true, it's weird. It gives rise to a reality in which it is possible to be fired or expelled for expressing or espousing one idea in a particular context and admired (or maybe just laughed hysterically with) for expressing our espousing the same idea in another context. There is normally little ambivalence about which contexts are which, but the marked dichotomy is a relatively new development, and its existence is fascinating.

What does this dichotomy say about us and our changing society? It would take a convention of psychologists, sociologists and philosophers to offer a very convincing answer. In lieu of such a convention, consider this highly speculative, unsubstantiated interpretation:

As our innate (or at least widespread and cross-cultural) tendency to stereotype (or at least categorize) people and ideas has been suppressed by the prevailing tide toward political correctness, outlandish comedy has provided a much-needed outlet. And, it would seem, so long as society continues to become more outwardly "correct," comedy will continue to become more outlandish.

Lucky there's a Family Guy.

Reach columnist Andrew Brown at andrewbrowna@thedaily.washington.edu