NPR’s Steve Inskeep conducted an interview with New York University professor Marcia Pally regarding former President Donald Trump’s employment of the term “they” when discussing immigrants and his political adversaries.
In the analysis, Inskeep emphasized the significant impact of the word “they” in political discourse. He illustrated this with an example where a newsworthy event involving an individual act was rhetorically transformed into a broader conspiracy using the word “they.” Trump notably used this term during a recent presidential debate to describe the alleged consequences of immigration policies in the United States.
During the debate, Trump mentioned the effects of allowing “millions and millions” of people into the country, implying that these immigrants were responsible for negative outcomes. He falsely asserted that these individuals were engaging in extreme behavior, such as eating pets, a claim that was later debunked.
Professor Marcia Pally noted that the word “they” generally signifies either a corrupt government entity or minority and immigrant groups. She explained that this usage reflects a deep-seated cultural division in American society that dates back to the country’s early colonial history.
Pally elaborated that the settlers of early America came to escape oppression, fostering a culture of suspicion towards authority. Under pressure, this skepticism can extend to all forms of government, complicating societal function.
Inskeep added that the ambiguity of the term “they” benefits political rhetoric by enabling speakers to broadly target various groups without specificity. Pally agreed, describing “they” as a flexible tool that allows people to project their anxieties and fears onto a vaguely defined adversary, thus facilitating an “us versus them” mindset.
The interview concluded with Inskeep thanking Pally for her insights, and she expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the topic. The broadcast wrapped up with a musical interlude.
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