In this year’s election, politicians, especially from the GOP, are using harmful labels as a big part of their strategy. This isn’t just about insults—it’s a way to divide people, stop them from voting, and get certain groups to support them out of fear.

These labels often target three main groups: ethnic minorities, women, and LGBTQIA+ people. Let’s examine how these labels are used, how they affect different voters, and why they harm our democracy.

Why Labels Matter and How They’re Being Used in 2024

Labels are powerful. They shape how we see the world, how we treat others, and even how we think. Politicians use labels to make complex issues simple and understandable for their supporters. For example, the GOP uses labels like “woke” or “radical” to make people feel afraid or angry without really explaining the details. On the other hand, Democrats have started calling Trump and Vance “weird,” which makes it easy for Trump supporters to dismiss Dems as out of touch. Here are specific examples:

Ethnic Slurs and Racial Division

Ethnic slurs and racially charged language have always been used to divide people in politics, but it’s gotten worse in this election. At an August 24 rally, Trump called Vice President Harris a “communist” and the “most radical left person ever to run for office.” These labels are meant to scare people, especially conservative voters, by making them think that people like Harris are a threat. This kind of talk not only scares people but also makes it harder for minority groups to feel safe and welcome in the political process.

Gender-Based Slurs Against Women

Politicians like JD Vance use gender-based slurs to try to make women in leadership look weak and uneducated, especially those who don’t fit traditional gender roles. Vance has made cruel comments about women who don’t have children, like Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers. By calling her and others “childless cat ladies,” Vance tries to make them seem less important. This strategy makes people think women in leadership, especially those who support progressive ideas, aren’t worth listening to. Vance’s comments are meant to push women out of politics and make it harder for them to participate fully.

Anti-LGBTQIA+ Rhetoric

JD Vance has also used harmful language and policies against LGBTQIA+ people. His actions are meant to marginalize and dehumanize these communities. Vance introduced the “Protect Children’s Innocence Act,” which is full of anti-transgender ideas. He’s also made fun of International Pronoun Day on social media. These actions are part of a plan to make LGBTQIA+ people seem like a threat to traditional values. This makes it harder for LGBTQIA+ communities to be accepted in society and the political process.

Weaponizing the Term “Woke”

Both Trump and Vance have used the term “woke” as an insult to discredit people who care about social justice. By turning “woke” into a bad word, they try to make people who care about equality seem extreme or dangerous. This tactic simplifies complex issues and makes dismissing those who want change easier.

How These Labels Affect Different People

The use of these harmful labels affects non-Trump voters and Trump supporters in very different ways. Let’s examine how these tactics disempower one group and falsely empower another.

Impact on Non-Trump Voters: Disempowerment

For Harris voters, being attacked shuts down discussion. This is especially true for those who are part of marginalized groups like ethnic minorities, women, and LGBTQIA+ individuals; being labeled with terms like “radical,” “woke,” or other slurs can be very disempowering. Here’s how:

• Demoralize and Alienate: When people are labeled negatively, they may feel like their concerns and identities are being attacked. This can make them feel unwelcome or that their vote doesn’t matter. Hearing these labels repeatedly can wear them down and make them less likely to vote.
  
  Trump’s attacks on Harris are not just about discrediting her but also about creating a hostile environment for her supporters, especially women of color. Similarly, Vance’s hurtful comments about LGBTQIA+ people and his actions against transgender rights make these communities feel excluded and afraid to participate fully in the democratic process.
  
• Suppress Turnout: The fear and intimidation from these labels can make people afraid to vote. Being labeled as “un-American” or “dangerous” can make someone feel unsafe, especially if they belong to a group that has faced discrimination before. This is a crucial part of the labeling strategy—if fewer people vote, especially those who don’t support the GOP, it helps their agenda.
  
• Undermines Political Legitimacy: By constantly attacking the character and identity of their opponents, Trump and his allies try to make those candidates and their supporters seem less legitimate. This weakens trust in the democratic process, making non-Trump voters feel like their participation doesn’t matter.
  
  Vance’s use of derogatory language against women and LGBTQIA+ individuals aims to delegitimize their efforts in politics. By questioning the credibility of these voters and leaders, Vance tries to weaken their influence and push them out of the political arena.

Impact on Trump Voters: False Empowerment

For Trump supporters, these labels have a very different effect. The labeling strategy makes them feel more powerful and justified in their views, even if those views are based on misinformation or prejudice. This is also why breaking away is so hard; this kind of language helps create a culture. Here’s how:

• Reinforces Beliefs: When Trump and Vance use labels like “radical” or “woke,” it reinforces the beliefs of their supporters. It makes them feel that their fears are valid and that they are on the right side of the fight. This can make them more likely to accept extreme views and less likely to question their leaders.
• Encourages Groupthink: Labels like these also encourage groupthink, where everyone in the group starts to think the same way, and there’s no room for different opinions. This can make Trump supporters less open to new ideas and more likely to dismiss others who disagree.
• Mobilizes Against Others: These labels make it easier for Trump supporters to see others as enemies. When people are labeled as “radical” or “woke,” they are seen as less than human, which makes it easier to justify mistreating them or ignoring their rights. At rallies, Trump supporters often chant slogans that include these labels, showing how the labeling strategy is used to mobilize and unite them against a common “enemy.” This behavior can lead to a more divided and hostile political environment.

The Impact on Democracy

The use of labels in this election is harmful to democracy. It divides people, makes them less likely to participate in the political process (like voting), and creates fear and hostility. When people are labeled and put into boxes, it’s harder to have honest conversations about the issues that matter. This makes solving our country’s big problems difficult because we’re too busy fighting each other instead of working together.

It’s Our Responsibility to Recognize and Resist Labeling Tactics

As the 2024 election continues, it’s essential to recognize these labeling tactics for what they are—a strategy to divide us and take away our power. By understanding how labels are used to control and manipulate us, we can resist these tactics and work towards a more united and fair society. Don’t let anyone take away your voice with a label. Your vote matters, and it’s a powerful tool for change.

Dems Call Things “Weird”! Why Is That Okay?

Democrats have called Trump and Vance “weird,” which makes some people ask, “Why is that okay, but what the GOP does is bad?” The main difference is in the purpose and effect of these words. The GOP uses labels like “woke” and “radical” to scare people and create division, making their opponents seem like dangerous threats to American values. This fear can lead to seeing others as less human and trying to stop them from voting. On the other hand, Democrats use the word “weird” to make fun of and dismiss their opponents, using humor to show how out of touch they think Trump and Vance are. While both strategies can divide people, the Democrats’ use of “weird” is more about behavior than attacking who someone is. Still, both sides need to be careful—using labels, even as a joke, can make it harder for people to talk to each other and find common ground.