A recent memo from the center-left think tank Third Way, reported by POLITICO, identifies 45 “woke” words and phrases Democrats should avoid, arguing they alienate voters and harm electoral chances. Terms like “Latinx,” “BIPOC,” “safe space,” and “white privilege,” often rooted in social justice or academic discourse, are seen as out of touch with everyday Americans across racial, religious, and ethnic lines. The memo suggests these phrases, spanning categories like “therapy speak” and “explaining away crime,” make Democrats sound elitist, divisive, and overly focused on cultural issues, turning off voters who prioritize economic concerns. Polls, such as a 2024 YouGov survey, support this, showing only a minority—20% or less—regularly use terms like “safe space” or “woke,” with even fewer Republicans (17%) embracing them, highlighting a disconnect with broader public sentiment.

Critics argue that Democrats’ reliance on this jargon, often tied to progressive ideals like antiracism or gender inclusivity, creates a perception of coastal arrogance that fuels Republican narratives. For instance, former race car driver Danica Patrick’s X post mocking “woke bullsh*t” reflects a broader backlash against terms like “Latinx,” which Harvard professor Marcel Roman noted alienated Latino voters, contributing to Democratic losses in 2024. The overuse of such language, seen as performative or overly politically correct, has been weaponized by Republicans, with figures like Ron DeSantis branding it as a threat to American values through laws like Florida’s “Stop WOKE Act.” A 2023 USA TODAY/Ipsos poll found 56% of Americans view “woke” positively as awareness of social injustice, but 60% of Republicans see it as an insult, underscoring the partisan divide.

The push to drop these terms comes as Democrats grapple with a “toxic” party brand, as Third Way’s Lanae Erickson told POLITICO, urging clearer, more relatable language to rebuild a governing majority. Figures like Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Senator Ruben Gallego are cited as models for effective messaging, focusing on tangible economic goals—like owning a “big ass truck”—rather than academic jargon. A 2021 Pew poll showed 57% of Americans believe people are too easily offended by language, suggesting Democrats risk losing swing voters by clinging to terms like “microaggression” or “restorative justice,” which only 5-9% of Americans regularly use, per YouGov. As Republicans continue to frame “woke” as a catch-all for progressive overreach, Democrats face pressure to pivot to language that invites conversation rather than shuts it down.