Common Sense on Racism

As protests erupted during one of the most consequential electoral cycles of our lifetime, we found ourselves in a familiar place. Somehow, almost inexplicably, we found a way weaponize every important word that describes the challenges the United States continues to face with racism.

We of course do this as a matter of our regular politics all the time for a range of issues. We twist the definitions of words and drive new meanings as widely as possible. Pundits and blue check marks begin the process, fueling social platform discord that pits us against each other.