More than eight in ten adults in the United States feel that the nature and tone of political debate has grown more negative in the last few years, as reported by the Pew Research Center. While these initial survey results aren’t too shocking, they’re still important to investigate. After all, with Donald Trump in the White House, we have to consider as seriously as ever whether or not hate speech and chants to “send her back” or “lock her up” may lead to actual violence. We also have to consider why, exactly, so much of what Trump churns out actually does resonate with people.
According to this survey of adults in the U.S., which was conducted between April 29 and May 13 of this year, about three-quarters of the same polled group say that political debate has become less fact-based. 60% feel that it’s become less focused on actual issues.
Interestingly, people have some strong feelings on what elected officials should and shouldn’t be able to fling around. Trump, specifically, comes up in the questions. Almost three-quarters of Americans believe that politicians should avoid using language that could “encourage violence,” though more Democrats (83%) than Republicans (61%) feel this way.
Almost one-quarter of respondents believe that Trump has changed political discourse for the better, while 55% feel he’s changed it for the worse. Nearly half of Republicans feel he’s changed it for the better, while 84% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents feel the opposite.
Another interesting point along party lines: Whether or not it’s OK to call someone “unAmerican.” 30% of Republicans say it is off-limits for a Republican to call a Democratic opponent anti-American, while 45% of Democrats say it is off-limits for a Democrat to say this about a Republican opponent.
While the survey took place in the spring, it’s hard to think about this question without thinking about Donald Trump’s recent call to “send back” women of color congresspeople, and the violent chants against Rep. Ilhan Omar. What underlies his attacks, alongside the racism and sexism, is a sentiment that these people are “unAmerican.”
In a country where “patriotism” rings deep, calling someone “unAmerican” can be an act of violence. it’s also worth considering that even if physical violence isn’t an immediate threat, verbal threats—even veiled ones, like describing someone as “unAmerican”—may lead to people feeling fear or avoiding the public eye or discourse. Basically: Intimidation and isolation.
More than 80% of Democrats report that Trump’s comments “often” or “sometimes” make them feel a range of negative emotions, including concerned, confused, embarrassed, exhausted, angry, insulted and frightened.
While some Republicans do report feeling embarrassed by Trump’s comments, roughly 70% report feeling pretty good about them. Words include: entertained, hopeful, excited, respected, inspired, and—somehow—informed.
Perhaps what is most concerning for the long-term is that there isn’t a clear agreement among respondents about what qualifies as sexist or racist language. Basically: How will I know if something might be offensive to someone else? Or: It doesn’t sound racist or sexist to me, and thus, it isn’t. See also: concerns about “PC-culture” or being too “politically correct.”
65% of Republican and Republican-leaning voters said they often don’t agree with the definition of racist (and sexist) language, though six-in-ten respondents overall say the same. So while Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters aren’t as bad as Republicans, they still come in at 58%. Post-graduates and college graduates are more likely to say it’s easy to know when something is racist or sexist.
Overall, 60% of respondents say that people today are too easily offended by the language that other people use.
What do you think?