I'm no fan of PC... in the sense of legislated PC. I feel "hate crimes" are essentially useless and only serve to infuriate reactionaries. Same with affirmative action. The trouble with PC in general is that it covers up real problems (racists and other assorted bigots) with surface changes...
But I don't see a problem at all with PC, when defined as the vilifying of racists and bigots. Sorry folks. They deserve it. And, might I point out, the vilification of bigots is not legislated.
So in order for this aspect of PC to be enforced as some communist plot, as you say, you must show that millions of people were brainwashed. Sadly, I think you'll find people vilify bigots because it is logical. Bigots are immoral and an abomination to any meritocratic or humanitarian values.
Youl'' find that even the most ardent Republican critics of PC will join with us liberals in denouncing the racist... and it is not because they are "brainwashed". It's because they are rational.
Hate is a human emotion, true enough. That does not automatically make it wonderful. In most cases it is bad for society, bad even for the individual... But emotions should not be subject to law- I'll agree on this... However failure to control your emotions, in so far as to avoid harming others... That is subject to law.
So while hate crime legislation is pointless... you will not see me shedding a tear for the racist slimebag that murders someone and gets ten years added to their life sentence or whatever. Not one.
And excuse me if I do not so much as say a prayer for the racists and bigots who feel hurt by the fact that the majority of the population does not see their evil ideology as legitimate. They should feel lucky that they are allowed to allow the filth of their ideology to pass through their lips (though I realize for some Europeans that isn't true- I'll admit those policies are unjust... and counterproductive- the best evidence for the stupidity of racism is the speech of a racist).

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"Man lives in the sunlit world of that which he believes to be reality. But unseen by most is an underworld, a place that is just as real... but not as brightly lit... A DARK SIDE!"
-opening from Tales From the Darkside