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.
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
Tim Walz said that Republicans had become weird and they all got really offended and started doing race science about it, so it works.
“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.
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.
Could have just been autocorrect, but just to avoid confusion, it’s Walz.
It’s only bad if you’re offended by it. Embrace the weird = all good. Spend all your time trying to convince people that you’re not weird = super weird.