"The notion of political correctness has ignited controversy across the land. And although the movement arises from the laudable desire to sweep away the debris of racism and sexism and hatred, it replaces old prejudice with new ones. It declares certain topics off-limits, certain expression off-limits, even certain gestures off-limits."

George W. Bush, 1991.

I think the rise of social media just made it so much more easy for the lowest effort emotional takes to gain traction. In the past if you wanted to be politically engaged you actually had to leave the house and meet people or go through newsletters and the like. Everything moved slower, you were less likely to be totally anonymous to whatever group you joined but also less likely to have your neighbors and family know what your opinions were unless you outright told them.