"They"

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, they has several definitions. This column focuses on one in particular:

"Used to refer to people in a general way or to a group of people who are not specified."

It's an ordinary word we use every day. But in politics, when those in positions of power begin speaking in terms of "they," it can become one of the most powerful words in the English language.

Individual people disappear, neighbors become strangers, and strangers become stereotypes. Before long, entire groups of Americans are judged not by their own actions, but by the actions, or alleged actions, of others who happen to share the same label.

Sometimes "they" is clearly identified. "They" are immigrants. "They" are welfare recipients. "They" are Democrats. "They" are Republicans. Other times, "they" remains deliberately vague, allowing each listener to imagine whoever they already distrust.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Americans repeatedly heard phrases from Donald Trump, Republican Party members, right-wing media personnel and the MAGA movement such as, "They're eating the cats and dogs," "They're rigging the elections," and "They're stealing your jobs." More recently, public statements by many of the same individuals during the 2024 campaign claimed, "They are vandalizing the Reflecting Pool."

Whether "they" refers to a clearly identified group or an undefined one, the rhetorical effect is often the same. Millions of people become a single category, and the actions of a few become associated with everyone who shares that label.

In the case of the Reflecting Pool, questions were raised about whether the damage was due to vandalism, construction quality, or other causes. Documented data, per Jeanine Pirro, US federal prosecutor in the cases of “vandalism” revealed construction quality was the cause and dropped charges against the “vandals”. 

The administration's quick response to the Reflecting Pool damage after contractor repairs with accusations of “They did it” illustrates how quickly public attention can shift from examining evidence to assigning blame to an entire group.

Language like this encourages us to see fellow Americans as an opposing "them" instead of as individuals with different experiences, opinions, and responsibilities.

Words matter. Democracies depend on accountability, and accountability requires specificity. The moment we accept "they" as an answer instead of asking, "Who, specifically?" we begin replacing evidence with assumption and individual responsibility with collective blame.