Words That Kill

As children, many of us were taught a rhyme that was supposed to make us impervious to the hateful words of bullies:

It might build self-esteem in kids who are teased, but it’s terrible advice for adults. The fact is, rhetoric—especially labeling and name-calling—often summons the very sticks and stones that break bones. Or worse.

It’s a dire warning sign when our leaders speak of “enemies,” “traitors,” or “vermin.” When this language is repeated over and over, history tells us what comes next. In Minnesota, a crazed gunman recently shot and killed State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Many argue there’s a world of difference between demonizing someone for their beliefs and committing violence. But if that were true, why do combat soldiers always invent slurs for their enemies? In World War II it was “krauts” and “japs.” In Vietnam, “gooks.” In Somalia, “skinnies.” In every war, soldiers are taught to dehumanize the enemy because it makes killing easier. Dehumanization, in short, is what clears the path to violence.

So when our President and his inner circle label the press “the enemy of the people” or call Democrats “scum,” we should be alarmed. Here’s what Trump posted this past Memorial Day:

And more recently, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson called for California Governor Gavin Newsom to be “tarred and feathered.”

The problem with this kind of rhetoric isn’t just that it fires up isolated extremists. It also normalizes verbal abuse, making it seem acceptable. After all, if the President says it, it must be okay, right? This derogatory language becomes commonplace, not only normalizing the harmful name-calling but, on a more primal level, normalizing violent actions taken against others.

This is exactly how Vladimir Putin tightened his grip on Russia. He labeled critics, journalists, and opponents as “foreign agents,” “terrorist sympathizers,” or “enemies of the people.” That labeling paved the way for political assassinations: Boris Nemtsov, Anna Politkovskaya, Alexei Navalny, and many others. Sadly, Putin is hardly alone. Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines and Argentina’s military junta followed the same playbook.

It’s a cascading pattern: violent rhetoric leads to political assassination, which is exploited to stoke fear, and finally, a subservient population, allowing our leaders to seize absolute power.

Right now, America is sliding from the first stage to the second. The violent words have been with us for years, but since Trump’s reelection, they’ve escalated. Now, the political assassinations have begun. The instigators will never own up to their role; dripping with cynicism, they clutch their pearls, distance themselves, and pretend to be shocked. Some, like Senator Mike Lee of Utah, even try to blame the victims, suggesting Democrats brought this upon themselves. This cynical distancing grants them a false air of innocence even as they double down on hateful rhetoric. They aren’t fooling most of us, but they don’t have to. They only need to fool enough people to keep the cycle going, to drive more violence, more fear, and ultimately, more control.

What can we do? Recognize that the fight for freedom is not for the timid. It falls on every freedom-loving American to find their courage, confront hateful speech, and demand accountability from our leaders. This won’t be easy. Rogue regimes don’t give up power without a fight. But understand this: it’s a numbers game. If we stand together, they can’t get rid of us all. There is safety in numbers. Standing together, we must refuse to be intimidated. Rogue elements in our government expect us to cower. Let’s disappoint them. Let’s ratchet up the protests as they try to suppress us.

Yes, sticks and stones break bones, but words can kill. Let’s stand together and stop this madness before we lose the liberties we love.

History is watching. This is our time.