I know it’s used toward Trumpist politicians so far. Was the context such that “weirdo” was the only sensible choice?
I feel troubled by this because Keep Austin Weird, Keep Portland Weird, etc., which is normally celebrated. And I’m weird.
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Republicans are morons
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Republicans are anti-intellectual
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Using sophisticated language to critique republicans shows them you’re not one of them, and they can write you off as a member of the out-group in their minds
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The word weird doesn’t trigger the anti-intellectual alarms, so their defenses don’t shoot up, and they’re left scrambling for a retort, feeling awkward as they are now a member of their own out-group
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There’s good weird and not-good weird.
“pejorative” is probably a better word. calling it a “slur” is a bit strong.
but Tim Walz started it when he called JD Vance “weird.” It just sorta stuck because, well, he’s right.
Good weird = you get called weird, and you’re like, “duh, we’re all weird”
Bad weird = you get called weird, and you respond defensively and have to prove how normal you are to everyone
It’s a way to infantilize and ridicule the red team candidates that’s really hard for them to dismiss. They want to be perceived as strong, noble, divinely-appointed saviors of the morality of the country. Using ‘weird’ as an attack takes the wind out of their sails. And the only effective way to counter it is to embrace and transcend it, something the red team is incapable of doing.
From an article in WP
A central pillar of Trump’s campaign is the idea that liberals are perverted misfits who want to tear down American values. … [Trump supporters] were strong; libs were weak. They were right; libs were wrong…
“Weird” intrudes on that narrative. It doesn’t entirely upend it, but it does plant a seed of doubt. What if, instead of being admired or feared, they are instead being laughed at? What if, instead of edgelords, they are actually just the kids in the corner eating glue off their hands?
also
“He’s just a strange, weird dude,” newly-named vice presidential nominee Tim Walz (D) told an assembled group of 60,000 “White Dudes for Harris” at an online fundraiser last week. The Minnesota governor has been, if not the inventor of this tactic, its most skilled proponent.
I’ve always wished Democratic candidates would be contemptuous when needed. Gutsy. Maybe I’m all wrong, but if for instance Clinton had strongly stood behind having said deplorable.
Ok so this feels a lot like borrowed/manufactured concern or outrage. Thats why you’re getting downvoted, and I admit it looks like that to me too.
But if your question does happen to be genuine: it’s because it’s one of the most hilariously simple rhetorical shots that anyone has made at the GOP and Trump + Vance. The fact that they’re so bent out of shape and CLEARLY upset by being called “weird” is weird by itself, in the most negative connotation of the word. Not to mention, most people who consider themselves “weird” - including myself - would respond to being weird with something between “hell yeah dude fist bump” and “hell yeah dude. Go fuck yourself”, depending on the context and delivery of the original comment. The fact that they’re SUPER upset about being called weird is the primary fact that’s being made fun of here, as well as the fact that, well, the things they are fixating on, and a ton of their campaign positions, are objectively outright weird. It’s leaning on linguistic subtleties and flexibility to take a shot at fascists and live rent-free in their heads, and to most people, it’s absolutely fucking hilarious that it seems to be working.
it looks like that to me too
Genuine question. I do want to engage in discussing political matters—well, some days, when I’m up for it—but I’m hesitant because I expect to be viewed with some paranoia. I will do my best not to even look at votes. If I snark on headlines for some time, which I would enjoy, maybe enough people will figure out I’m not something bad.
The problem is, they are weirdos. You can’t make up stuff like the video of JD Vance in the donut shop. It’s hilarious.
JD is Nathan for You, but without awareness or knowing.
Tim Walz just said it in a speech. He called the behavior of maga and maga cultists weird. And it stuck.
It probably stuck because it’s an apt description that they don’t like. They have no shame, so trying to actually shame them does not work… which is also weird. The unapologetical and blatant lying is weird… the whole world watches these people and most think… what the fuck…
Before WOKE, they used weird as a term to describe LGBT*, emo and anything else they saw as against their values.
They just looked at other people not like them and said, they’re weird right, and they would all agree.
Well now we’re calling them weird and backing it up by calling out specific actions they know are wrong. Now they’re saying no, no we’re not weird at the same time internally going are we weird? They’re questioning their values just a little. It won’t stick long term or make changes. But they don’t have introspection very often.
“Are we the b… weirdos?”.mpg
It’s always been a slur to differently abled people. Some grow up and go through life hearing it constantly as a way to shrug them off as disposable or something. It’s a way assholes in society treat them like shit.
What’s gone on recently is offensive cause there are real people who through life being called that and other names as a way to disregard them. Having to hear how it’s been openly used lately isn’t great, but people don’t get it. They think some things are harmless merely cause it doesn’t affect them or someone they care about.
