Freaks: Politically incorrect

In a traveling circus that performs a variety of acts, the main attraction is the visual display of the physically and mentally deformed who perform mundane acts for their viewers who look upon them with awe. Those that were once shunned from society become a spectacle of amazement with the performances of little people, limbless people, pinheads, conjoined twins, a bearded lady, and a half man/half woman.

A circus trapeze artist, Cleopatra, takes an interest in Hans, a midget who works in the circus sideshow. Her desire is not to develop a relationship with him, but to take his incoming inheritance. Hans enters a relationship with Cleopatra all while being engaged to a fellow little person who tries to convince him of Cleopatra’s true intention, which he fails to grasp. And at the same time, Cleopatra is in a relationship with another circus performer who encourages her to go after Hans’ money.

On their wedding day, Cleopatra drinks beyond her limit and relieves her entire plan while dishing out insults to her fellow peers. In reaction, they all decide to make her one of them, another freak.

The movie is one the lack completely in politically correctness, especially in the perspective of today’s media. The need to be politically correct has gone far past the social justice warriors of the classroom and moved up to our consumption of mass media. This movie could not be recreated today with the same tone without stepping on the toes of many sensitive people. Freaks, the movie, exemplifies the harsh tone and bitter reality of life. And it does not shy away from derogatory terms and mockery of others. This movie reflects the social change of our society’s limitation on expression since it was 1932 till now. 

Though it seems like political correctness is highly sought after, it doesn’t seem to be a trait need to become the president of the United States. In the 2016, Donald Trump mocked a disabled reporter while being recorded at one of his rallies. Many thought that that would be enough to end his political career, they were wrong. While hosting an event for Olympians and Paralympians in the White House Trump said, “What happened with the Paralympics was so incredible and so inspiring to me and I watched — it’s a little tough to watch too much ― but I watched as much as I could.” Has our society been so contaminated with too much politically correct media that they seek refuge in the appall truth of an individual’s inner thoughts? 

Similar to the movie, extreme conservative media outlets do not constrain themselves to political correctness, but rather shine in the light of being abrasive and brutality honest. In the media, shows like Alex Jones and Breitbart deflect the social norms of regulating expressive speech and use uncensored language. Could that vulgarity be a part of the reason for their success and the success of out current president?