Words Matter

"Words Matter: Elections and consequences in American politics" is a poignant look back at the eight long years of the Obama Administration, the 2016 primaries and general election, at the candidates, this whole "Russia thing" and a look forward to the next four years of what is destined to become the most controversial presidency of the 21st century, led by the quintessential 'third way' President, Donald J. Trump. History teaches us to ignore it at our peril, and this examination of a seminal American election is a example of the schism that exists in our culture. Lessons will be learned on both sides of the political aisle that will form the strategies and direction both parties will take as they move steadily towards the 2018 mid-term elections and that of the Presidential election of 2020. There will be many casualties along the way if the policies of 'identity politics' and divide and conquer are the chosen tactics for winning. The country can ill-afford to become more divided, more partisan or more 'tribal' especially when we are faced with the enormous twin challenges of a rapid march toward domestic discord and growing global conflict. "Words Matter" builds on the two previous books on the Republican Party: "Breaking Republican" and "How Republicans can win in a changing America" by Stephan Helgesen and co-author V. Lance Tarrance.

"Words Matter: Elections and consequences in American politics" is a poignant look back at the eight long years of the Obama Administration, the 2016 primaries and general election, at the candidates, this whole "Russia thing" and a look forward to the next four years of what is destined to become the most controversial presidency of the 21st century, led by the quintessential 'third way' President, Donald J. Trump. History teaches us to ignore it at our peril, and this examination of a seminal American election is a example of the schism that exists in our culture. Lessons will be learned on both sides of the political aisle that will form the strategies and direction both parties will take as they move steadily towards the 2018 mid-term elections and that of the Presidential election of 2020. There will be many casualties along the way if the policies of 'identity politics' and divide and conquer are the chosen tactics for winning. The country can ill-afford to become more divided, more partisan or more 'tribal' especially when we are faced with the enormous twin challenges of a rapid march toward domestic discord and growing global conflict. "Words Matter" builds on the two previous books on the Republican Party: "Breaking Republican" and "How Republicans can win in a changing America" by Stephan Helgesen and co-author V. Lance Tarrance.

History and current affairs show that words matter - and change - because they are woven into our social and political lives. Words are weapons wielded by the powerful; they are also powerful tools for social resistance and for reimagining and reconfiguring social relations. Illustrated with topical examples, from racial slurs and sexual insults to preferred gender pronouns, from ethnic/racial group labels to presidential tweets, this book examines the social contexts which imbue words with potency. Exploring the role of language in three broad categories - establishing social identities, navigating social landscapes, and debating social and linguistic change - Sally McConnell-Ginet invites readers to examine critically their own ideas about language and its complicated connections to social conflict and transformation. Concrete and timely examples vividly illustrate the feedback loop between words and the world, shedding light on how and why words can matter.

History and current affairs show that words matter - and change - because they are woven into our social and political lives. Words are weapons wielded by the powerful; they are also powerful tools for social resistance and for reimagining and reconfiguring social relations. Illustrated with topical examples, from racial slurs and sexual insults to preferred gender pronouns, from ethnic/racial group labels to presidential tweets, this book examines the social contexts which imbue words with potency. Exploring the role of language in three broad categories - establishing social identities, navigating social landscapes, and debating social and linguistic change - Sally McConnell-Ginet invites readers to examine critically their own ideas about language and its complicated connections to social conflict and transformation. Concrete and timely examples vividly illustrate the feedback loop between words and the world, shedding light on how and why words can matter.