President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, and several other political heavyweights assembled in New York city on the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, 2024. This notable gathering occurs amidst political shockwaves and heightened temperatures that reflected the outcome of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election. The turbulence was such that it inspired Merriam-Webster to announce ‘polarization’ as their word of the year, further cementing the divisions within the nation.
Polarization suggests intense division but points specifically towards extreme positions as opposed to a harmonious center. A telltale of this harsh climate of division was the fear many voters felt towards the candidate opposite their choice, perceiving them as threats to the nation’s survival. This fear-driven climate of dissent was glaringly visible among the supporters of both Harris and Trump.
Survey data suggests that about 80% of those who voted for Harris expressed profound concern over Trump’s drastic views, yet demonstrated blind allegiance to Harris’s equally radical agenda. Similarly, approximately 70% of Trump’s voters showcased the same angst towards Harris, expressing unfounded comfort in Trump’s positions.
The concept of ‘polarization’ has deep facets, reflected in both its scientific and metaphorical iterations. It is predominantly utilized to depict ferocious disputes between hardly reconcilable factions. Last year, ‘authentic’ was selected as the defining word, a far cry from the turmoil and divisions signaled by ‘polarization’.
Despite the dictionary’s honorable intention to serve as a fair mediator of meanings during times of conflicting narratives, it seems to struggle to maintain neutrality in an age where ‘alternative facts’ gain traction. The struggle to agree on what constitutes reality is an appalling circumstance reflecting societal strife.
Indeed, the application of ‘polarization’ extends beyond mere politics. It is applied to delineate deep-seated cracks in cultural, technological, and industrial scenarios. Several controversies, such as the objections regarding pop star Taylor Swift’s frequent use of private jet and the feud between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake, have been tagged ‘polarizing’
Furthermore, the decision to revoke American gymnast Jordan Chiles’s bronze medal at the Paris Games by the International Olympic Committee only added to the catalog of polarizing instances. The term has become a catchphrase marking divisions, disagreements, or the lack of consensus.
Curiously, the penchant for polarization even encroached upon humorous memes and viral trends. Australian breakdancer Rachael “Raygun” Gunn’s controversial performance and the rise of look-alike contests stirred debate. Even a term as seemingly innocuous as ‘nepo baby’ sparked polarizing discussions.
Paradoxically, even in this divisive landscape, one aspect people tend to agree on is the meaning of the term ‘polarization’ itself. Despite constituting the embodiment of division, the term enjoys general consensus on its definition.
Merriam-Webster didn’t just stop at ‘polarization’ for their word of the year. Rounding out their top 10 for 2024 were words such as ‘Demure’, ‘Fortnight’, ‘Totality’, ‘Resonate’, ‘Allision’, ‘Weird’, ‘Cognitive’, ‘Pander’, and ironically, ‘Democracy’.
In a historical twist, ‘democracy’ was identified as the first word of the year by Merriam-Webster back in 2003. A term symbolizing a form of government where people elect representatives to govern and make laws has since, remained a consistent favorite among lookups.
It certainly begs the question, is the presence of ‘democracy’ amidst our top searches an indication of the citizens’ restlessness and skepticism towards the elected government and how they exercise their democratic rights? Perhaps, the repeated inquiries of its meaning suggest an underlying tension towards the current political milieu.
Interestingly, the words that defined the last decade according to Merriam-Webster offers a snapshot of our societal transformations. These terms include ‘authentic’ in 2023, ‘gaslighting’ in 2022, ‘vaccine’ in 2021, ‘pandemic’ in 2020, ‘they’ in 2019, ‘justice’ in 2018, ‘feminism’ in 2017, ‘surreal’ in 2016, ‘ism’ in 2015, and ‘culture’ in 2014.
These words serve as markers chronicling the zeitgeist of their respective years. They form a narrative that reflects the significant events and shifts in societal thought processes over the period. Each word, in its own way, offers a unique perspective on our society’s evolving dynamics.
However, it seems ironic for ‘polarization’ to be the word of the year in a country led by Biden and Harris who professed their commitment to unity. Their reign has seen more division than unity, and it surely raises an eyebrow towards their capability to effectively lead a diverse nation.
All considered, the emergence of ‘polarization’ as the word of the year in the Biden-Harris era signals a deferential nod to the state of our society. The hard truth is that we are a divided nation, polarized heavily by varying ideologies. The onus now falls on leadership to navigate this rocky terrain, hopefully uniting us towards a common cause.