What's an alternative term to "politically correct"/"political correctness"?

I don't think your question should be at all controversial. It'd be difficult to argue that the term "politically correct" itself hasnt' taken on more of a negative stigma than an instructive one.

That said, I think there are two main vectors from which to draw alternative terms to "politically correct". The first within a political context. The second, in reference to the always-changing lexicon of contemporary linguistic semantics.

So a simple alternative to "politically correct" within a political context might be "politically palatable"; and an alternate to "politically incorrect" might be "politically obnoxious".

I'm partial to reacting to terms perverted with political bias (especially when intended to deride the oppressed on a more subconscious level to maintain the status quo) directly, dismissively, and usually with levity. To that end, nobody likes to be called out as using "antiquated", "obnoxious", "old school", or "out of touch" terminology.

I don't know what hurt the opinion of the United States in Europe, our "rush" to war, or when Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld divided the continent into what he branded "old Europe" vs. "new Europe."

I hope that makes sense.

You question is a very good one, albeit surprisingly confusing. When I first opened my eyes to politics, I considered myself a liberal, but I now despise U.S. liberals (though I'm even less a conservative). Furthermore, the term politically correct has different connotations and is viewed through different lens by liberals, conservatives and others.

In this spirit, it might help to have some examples of what you want to say. Consider this sentence, for example:

I don't want to say anything that isn't politically correct.

Does the author mean 1) he wants to speak the truth without using words that might hurt or offend others, or 2) he's willing to ignore or twist the truth if that's the only way to please listeners?

Although most intelligent, caring people obviously want to avoid saying hurtful things, I think there's a general feeling - even among many liberals - that there's a little BS in political correctness.

Are you sure you're talking about political correctness and not something else? In the U.S., the Left is very fragmented and has swung very far to the right, to the point that it's often hard to distinguish between liberals and conservatives.

In summary, I can't think of a good synonym for "politically correct" that liberals can use. About the closest I can come is fair speech. Or you could simply say "I speak the truth," or "I speak the truth, political correctness be damned."

Again, it might help if we had some examples of things you'd like to say.

There's a simple, clear, and neutral/positive term: It's respectful.

The word is also natural enough to use in this context that the word (in some form) can be found in the question itself. You lose the connotation that it's supposed to be language related to marginalized groups, and you also lose all sense that there's something political about it, but "politically incorrect term for X" is used even when X isn't a marginalized group, as in Wiktionary.

Here are some examples in use:

• Respectful Disability Language: Here’s What’s Up!
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Respectful Language Guide

Inclusive language is language that strives not to exclude, insult, or offend people, whatever their race, gender, sex, sexual preference, age, class, religion, or other group. If by "political correctness" you mean language that is neutral and respectful, then "inclusive language" would be a good alternative. (Although "political correctness" does have other meanings.)

It's more inclusive to use a word like "chairperson" rather than "chairman", as the latter excludes women. Similarly "he" or "she", "man" or "women" will exclude non-binary, intersex, and other categories of people. But it is also extended to terms which may be considered derogatory or insulting by a group, or which may diminish or slight a group, which is where it gets more complex and to some extent you have to know what is considered offensive. "Person-first language" is a subcategory where you say "person with disability" or "person with autism", to emphasise the person not the condition.

You also see more specific phrases like "gender-inclusive language" where the intent is to avoid discriminating against women.

Other discussions of the topic:

• https://counseling.northwestern.edu/blog/inclusive-language-guide/
• https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/equality-and-diversity/training/inclusive-language/
• https://medium.com/diversity-together/70-inclusive-language-principles-that-will-make-you-a-more-successful-recruiter-part-1-79b7342a0923
• https://diverseminds.co.uk/7-ways-inclusive-language-creates-belonging-at-work/