Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a daily column that runs on Page 1 of The Asahi Shimbun.
January 12, 2021 at 12:59 JST
President Donald Trump speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president on Jan. 6 in Washington. (AP Photo)
The “silent majority” is commonly defined as a large, unspecified group of people within a country or a group who do not publicly express their political opinions.
In the United States, however, it also obliquely refers to blue-collar whites, according to "Saraba Hakujin Kokka Amerika" (Farewell to America the white nation) by Tomohiro Machiyama, a critic residing in the United States.
The term was popularized by President Richard Nixon who, in a televised address in 1969, referred to Vietnam War protesters as a "vocal minority," as opposed to the "great silent majority of my fellow Americans" whose support he sought. And by that majority, he specifically had white, working-class Americans in mind, says Machiyama.
In politics, the term "dog whistle" denotes a coded message understood only by people who support that message. Just as a dog whistle's supersonic sound can be heard only by canines, the political use of the figurative dog whistle comes in handy when the hidden message being conveyed is malicious or racist in nature.
U.S. President Donald Trump called on the silent majority when tweeting about "law and order," implying a command to Black Americans to stand down.
"The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE long into the future," Trump tweeted. He also declared, "To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th."
These posts must have been deemed dangerous dog whistles. Citing the possibility of them inciting violence on Inauguration Day, Twitter has permanently suspended Trump's account.
Since social media platforms enable many people to freely voice their opinions, the decision to expel any user for good is controversial and risky at best.
But the shock of the Jan. 6 storming of the United States Capitol was obviously too great for the nation.
Once out of the White House, Trump will probably have fewer chances to blow the dog whistle.
But one thing is certain: America will continue to have a solid number of voters who will respond to the whistle.
--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 12
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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
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