Was It Something I Said? – Third Way:
For a party that spends billions of dollars trying to find the perfect language to connect to voters, Democrats and their allies use an awful lot of words and phrases no ordinary person would ever dream of saying. The intent of this language is to include, broaden, empathize, accept, and embrace. The effect of this language is to sound like the extreme, divisive, elitist, and obfuscatory, enforcers of wokeness. To please the few, we have alienated the many—especially on culture issues, where our language sounds superior, haughty and arrogant.
In reality, most Democrats do not run or govern on wildly out-of-touch social positions. But voters would be excused to believe we do because of the words that come out of our mouths—words which sound like we are hiding behind unfamiliar phrases to mask extreme intent.
I would contend that most progressive Democrats, admittedly a minority of the party, actually do run and govern on wildly out-of-touch social positions. It’s still try that the language is off-putting.
Therapy-Speak
These words say “I’m more empathetic than you, and you are callous to hurting other’s feelings.”
Privilege
Violence (as in “environmental violence”)
Dialoguing
Othering
Triggering
Microaggression/assault/invalidation
Progressive stack
Centering
Safe space
Holding space
Body shaming
Be aware of words proliferating in elite circles that have closed off open conversations and have made it uncomfortable for many people to engage in hard topics.Seminar Room Language
This language says “I’m smarter and more concerned about important issues than you. Your kitchen table concerns are small.”
Subverting norms
Systems of oppression
Critical theory
Cultural appropriation
Postmodernism
Overton Window
Heuristic
Existential threat to [climate, the planet, democracy, the economy]
When we use words people don’t understand, studies show that the part of their brain that signals distrust becomes more active, undermining our ability to reach them.Organizer Jargon
These words say “we are beholden to groups, not individuals. People have no agency.”
Radical transparency
Small ‘d’ democracy
Barriers to participation
Stakeholders
The unhoused
Food insecurity
Housing insecurity
Person who immigrated
Democrats can fight for the poor, the hungry, the homeless, and immigrants more effectively if they speak in everyday language and in the language of those most affected by these issues.Gender/Orientation Correctness
These say “your views on traditional genders and gender roles are at best quaint.”
Birthing person/inseminated person
Pregnant people
Chest feeding
Cisgender
Deadnaming
Heteronormative
Patriarchy
LGBTQIA+
Standing up to MAGA’s cruel attacks on gay and transgender people requires creating empathy and building a broad coalition, not confusing or shaming people who could otherwise be allies.The Shifting Language of Racial Constructs
These words signal that talking about race is even more of a minefield. You will be called out as racist if you do not use the latest and correct terminology.
Latinx
BIPOC
Allyship
Intersectionality
Minoritized communities
As we fight racism and discrimination, we should reflect upon whether the words we are using are part of the reason Democrats are losing support from all non-White voter groups. We must know when to take a step back and listen, instead of peppering our websites, fundraising asks, and newsletters with sociology buzzwords.Explaining Away Crime
This says: “The criminal is the victim. The victim is an afterthought.”
Justice-involved
Carceration
Incarcerated people
Involuntary confinement
People deserve to feel safe where they live, work, and go to school, and we can’t defend the progress we’ve made on criminal justice reform or hope to make more unless we acknowledge that reality in plain terms.