Great article from... Time (of all places)

Political correctness never makes sense to me.

Talk to people and explain things, that's always the best policy. Be open, honest, and frank. Don't apologize for things that need no apology. Don't let other people define you, your name, or your actions. Define yourself and throw it back on them. Someone says that you are being devisive because you used someones middle name, explain to them that they are stupid :). If someone puts out a picture of you wearing "ethnic" clothing, explain to them that you were in Africa visiting YOUR FAMILY and that this was simply being gracious to your host.

Forget PC. Try honesty. People are reasonable.

Anyway, a good article here.