A few words on the use of the term "Deplorables"

[Tom Rinaldo]

First, I do not at all question that it is an accurate description for millions of people who supported Donald Trump for President. For exactly how many is a fair matter for debate. Personally I would estimate that well below ten million justly qualify for that particular slur, probably less than five million, but of course that depends on where you draw the line. Now if you open it up to include those who are narrow minded or very poorly informed, and those who harbor some prejudices, that number greatly expands. I don't include the latter categories for defining "deplorables". Virtually all of us harbor prejudices, including many of us who are continually working to confront and rid ourselves of them. Some of us have it worse than others, it's an often lethal social disease that tends to kill not the hosts, but those who are exposed to it. It's evil, I make no apologies for it. But I note a distinction between those who are infected with it, and those who proudly embrace it. A white person who routinely locks their car doors whenever they drive through a "minority neighborhood" is infected. A white person who frequents white supremacy web sites openly embraces overt racism - which clearly is deplorable.

Here's the thing though. "Deplorables" don't mind it in the slightest when liberals and progressives call them that. They wear it as a badge of honor, and they see our use of that term as a political gift to them. Why? Because it is vague and oddly nondescript. The literal haters, the openly racist, the ideological bigots, and the true fascists love to blur the lines. They argue that liberals are inherently elitists, who love to look down on "ordinary people". That is their desired "us vs them" dichotomy: "out of touch hypocritical snobs" on one side vs "everyday Americans". So they gleefully appropriate the "deplorable" terminology and claim that is how progressives dismiss each and every person who voted for Donald Trump.

I am not here to defend anyone for voting for Donald Trump. I believe that those who supported that man for President all made an egregious mistake. And I cut zero slack for the openly racist, for true haters, for proud bigots, and for fascists. But that is exactly what those who deserve it should be called; haters, bigots, and fascists: people who are all inherently Unamerican. That is where the wedge needs to be driven. Be careful not to let them take cover under a term that doesn't explicitly name them for what they are, and which they happily can twist into a viscous equal indictment of everyone who, for whatever reason, voted for Donald Trump in November. It only plays into their political narrative, and ultimate game plan.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

1. Research indicates about 18 to 30 percent of Americans skew authoritarian

That is frightening. That is chilling. And that is ultimately heartbreaking. And the research indicates most of them supported Trump.

We need to employ a form of triage to Trump voters. We should listen the most to the persuadable ones. We should listen a little less to the less persuadable ones. The ones that can never be persuaded their fates should be left to God.

[Tom Rinaldo]

2. We agree

Some of those who skew authoritarian can still be reached, some can not. Sorting those two categories apart is always easier in hindsight though. I am always amazed by those occasional stories of ex Klan leaders or racist gang members who totally turn their lives around. By yes, in the here and now, we should do our best to concentrate on those who seemingly should be persuadable. Ex-Obama voters who went for Trump are a good starting point.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. There is more joy in heaven...

"Some of those who skew authoritarian can still be reached, some can not. Sorting those two categories apart is always easier in hindsight though. I am always amazed by those occasional stories of ex Klan leaders or racist gang members who totally turn their lives around."

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

-Luke 15:17

There are always converts. The son of the founder of stormfront had just such an epiphany:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/the-white-flight-of-derek-black/2016/10/15/ed5f906a-8f3b-11e6-a6a3-d50061aa9fae_story.html?utm_term=.976b3c86dfff

however research indicates that most adult's world views are fairly impervious to change and challenges to their world view only makes them cling even harder to it.

Maybe triage is best. It is as simple as some people just wanting the government to be their daddy.

[moda253]

3. I just call them Anti-Americans.

Because that's what they are.

[hurple]

5. When the term was "coined"

by Hillary on the campaign trail, she specifically pointed out that it was in reference to the racist portion of trump's supporters.

When you see a conservative proudly wear that title, point that out to them, that it specifically means they are a racist asshole. That being proud of that title is like walking into a crowded room and yelling, "Hi! I'm a racist!!"

If they still want to wear it proudly, then they deserve it, and all the scorn and hatred we can throw at them.

[Kimchijeon]

14. That's too much thinkin' involved for 'em

Besides chances are they might be a racist anyway. Just call 'em all fascists, because that's what they are.
If not an actual fascist, they certainly are fascist enablers. Kinda covers it all.

[ginnyinWI]

6. I like "Trumpies"

It comes from the term, "groupies", which describes them pretty well! Devoted, blind followers.

[Squinch]

7. I don't see any problem with the use of the word. The fact that they have taken it upon themselves

is actually quite advantageous for us. They are calling THEMSELVES deplorable!

It really isn't vague and nondescript. It means what it means, and everyone knows what it means.

We have a number of threads on how a lie, even if it is clearly a lie, when put out into the world will win some people over. We have a number of threads on how Trump uses terms like "low-energy" "crooked" and "little" effectively.

The use of the word deplorable is doing it's job just fine. It gets into people's heads and makes them connect the dots and identify the characteristics you describe as "deplorable." It identifies the bigotry and racism as deplorable. Many among them previously thought those things were "American" or "good values." Now they identify them as "deplorable." Whether they know it or not, they are negativising things they previously thought of as positives.

They are deplorable. Let them identify as such.

[Tom Rinaldo]

9. It's fine for the ones who self identify with it

Many of them do not however. Not all Trump voters deserve that term. but they still get told by those that do that liberals are calling them deplorable. That is where it can become problematic. I think most people already understand that hard core bigotry and racism is deplorable - though they may not always recognize softer forms of it in themselves. I think calling our racism exactly for what it is does the job - including educating folks where possible about how certain actions and beliefs are in fact racist.

By way of partial agreement, I have no problem with anyone clearly saying that racists or racist acts or beliefs are deplorable. Or with anyone saying that person X is a deplorable because they are literal racist. I guess I differ about how some people connect the dots. Under right wing influence some rural Trump voters, for example, will conclude that "liberals" are calling them "deplorable" because they are not as "well educated" and "cosmopolitan" living in "fly over country" as are progressive "coastal elites".

[Squinch]

10. ALL trump voters are deplorable. ALL trump voters and racists and sexists.

And if we have learned anything this year, we should have learned that rural Trump voters are going to believe what they are going to believe. No amount of facts will change their beliefs. Whether we call them deplorable or not, they are going to vote against their best interests and in the interests of people who hate them.

Not my circus, not my monkey. They'll do whatever they do. I'll call them what they are. And I'll ignore them, as they deserve to be ignored, and go after the ones who stayed home who we have a chance with.

[Iggo]

8. "I call you deplorable because it's nicer than calling you a racist piece of shit."

"I'm good either way."

[ismnotwasm]

11. I call them various things

Depending on what they call me. A childish game, but one that needs to be played at this point. Deplorable has lost its punch--but I still use it from time to time. I like to use"Trumpflakes" a lot. Because "snowflake" is the stupidest insult I've ever come across used by large numbers of people.

My go to word and most accurate isn't meant to be name calling as much as it is a descriptor. That would be "bigot"

[BlueStater]

12. I don't care if those assholes wear it as a badge of honor.

If they're proud of their repulsive hatred and stupidity, then so be it. There's no hope for them then.

Generally, I save the name "deplorables" for whom I consider the worst of the worst. Like some of the disgusting pieces of human garbage I read about in that Esquire article today that was covering Trump's Melbourne rally. People like that one scumbag who said he'd be fine if Orange Jim Jones was made a dictator for life or the one particularly repugnant creature who threatened to rape a female protester. Those people can just fuck off and die for all I care.

But what every single one of the 63 million people who voted for him have in common, whether they're "deplorables" or not, is that they all heard the dirtbag make despicable comments about women, brag about sexually assaulting them, mock a disabled man, and threaten to ban an entire religious group from this country and all that STILL wasn't enough for them not to cast a ballot for him. Completely in-fucking-excusable.

[Kimchijeon]

13. I hear you. Why not call them all fascists?

I don't like the term deplorables, simply because it isn't clear enough. We need to be just blatantly open with it: they are fascists and fascist enablers.

[MineralMan]

15. You can use whatever words you choose.

I will do the same. In my book, anyone who could vote for Trump is deplorable. It's not like he disguised his ugly ideas. I do not excuse any Trump voter. The knew who they were voting for.