Bridging Political Divides Through Language Choices

Introduction

• Speaker uses notes to emphasize precise language choices.
• Demonstrates how the same news story can be communicated differently for conservative vs. liberal audiences:
  • Conservative: "1,000 illegal aliens were arrested"
  • Liberal: "1,000 undocumented immigrants turned themselves in"
• Highlights polarization in politics and media.

The Impact of Language Choices

• Media and political language choices push away different perspectives.
• Language choices can be intentional for engagement.
• Individuals also make these choices unconsciously.

Examples of Polarizing Language

• Left-leaning terms: Equity, lived experience, oppression, pronouns, gender-affirming care, Latinx.
• Right-leaning terms: Snowflake, deep state, mainstream media, Alpha, illegal alien, woke, social justice warrior.

Personal Experience and 'Tangle'

• Speaker is a politics reporter and founded Tangle in 2019 to combat news polarization.
• Challenges faced breaking through partisan language barriers.
• Reader feedback on term usage (e.g., "pro-life" vs. "anti-abortion").

Strategies for Neutral Communication

1. Find a Compromise

• Example: Using "unauthorized migrant" instead of "illegal alien" or "undocumented immigrant".

2. Use Preferred Terms

• Respect groups’ preferred terminology: "pro-life" for anti-abortion groups, "pro-choice" for abortion rights groups.
• E.g., "Latinx": Polling shows most people of Hispanic descent prefer "Hispanic" or "Latino".

3. Follow Your Own Thoughts

• Example: Capitalizing "Black" but not "white".
• Argument by Glenn Lowry, John McWhorter, and Mina Salami: Groups within "Black" are too disparate.

Additional Tips for Neutral Communication

• Balance honesty with sensitivity.
• Example: Differences in defining "Zionism".

Conclusion

• Encourage tolerance of different language choices.
• Media and individuals should aim to be understood by multiple political tribes.
• Invitation for suggestions and open-minded discussion.

Thank you