The Silent Majority forty years ago was cowed, afraid, and ashamed. They’re misled into believing this because this voting bloc lives in semi-urban/rural areas or suburbia, all of which are majority white and religious. What does the term "silent majority" refer to? Synonyms for silent majority include suburbia, grassroots movement, ground swell, Middle America, bourgeoisie, the burbs, subtopia, general populice, majority … The term was popularized by U.S. President Richard Nixon in a November 3, 1969, speech in which he said, ‘And so tonight—to you, the great silent majority of my fellow Americans—I ask for your support.’ But the silent majority need not be stronger than ever to reelect the president. silent majority phrase. Safer streets, better schools, and a greener environment. Race, gender, class politics, etc. Irony (from Ancient Greek εἰρωνεία eirōneía 'dissimulation, feigned ignorance'), in its broadest sense, is a rhetorical device, literary technique, or event in which what on the surface appears to be the case or to be expected differs radically from what is actually the case.. Due to “The Missing Right ” (see below). What role did the term "silent majority" play in the 1968 presidential election? silent majority definition: 1. a large number of people who have not expressed an opinion about something: 2. a large number…. Press J to jump to the feed. Definition of silent majority in the Idioms Dictionary. Throughout his first term in office, Richard Nixon was convinced that the war in Vietnam was winnable if only the US put forth enough effort and resources. the largest part of a country's population that consists of people who are not actively involved in … Meaning of silent majority. If a vocal minority, however fervent its cause, prevails over reason and the will of the majority, this Nation has no future as a free society. ‘We've been called the silent majority but the key word here is majority.’ ‘‘This is a most regrettable decision and accepting the fact they have put the document out to publication, they have chosen to ignore the silent majority of patients,’ he said.’ What does silent majority mean? Answers (1) Ho 17 November, 04:09. They did, in some cases, support the conservative policies of many politicians. Answer:The Republican nominee, former vice president Richard Nixon, defeated the Democratic nominee, incumbent vice president Hubert Humphrey. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Isn't it ironic, the left's latest left talking point, hate speech, is exactly what the left has been practicing for over 2 years. Irony can be categorized into different types, including verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony. Irony can be categorized into different types, including verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony. And so tonight -- to you, the great silent majority of my fellow Americans -- I ask for your support. SILENT MAJORITY! The “silent majority” is a Vietnam era term from the late 1960s and early 1970s that described the many Americans who did not agree with all aspects of the emotionally-charged calls for change that were reflected in countless demonstrations and protests. Share × Credits × silent majority. Answered by jill d #170087 on 5/15/2015 1:25 PM “And I like large parties. I am one of YOU, THE SILENT MAJORITY. Or portray them as elites. What does the term "silent majority" refer to? Watch later. Plenty of rich conservatives who are much, much more motivated to keep taxes low over anything else the Republicans have come to be associated with. They had their chance and played it safe. n-sing-coll The silent majority of supportive parents … IDK if the difference constitutes a "majority" but voting and speaking are separate. Keep in mind, according to a running poll by gallup, more people identify as independent than as members of either party, so the claims of "silent majority" might be also assuming that the independents agree tacitly with the claimant's argument. What is the silent majority Term coined by Richard Nixon as the majority of american people-the non-shouters, non-demonstrators are the silent majority. This interpretation betrays profound ignorance about the term “silent majority,” which never had any racial connotation, and disregards what suburban voters really fear — Democratic incompetence in a time of economic uncertainty and social unrest. It would be like today's President saying that Black Lives Matter protests don't matter because the majority of Americans aren't out in the streets getting arrested, beaten, gassed, shot with rubber bullets, and killed by the cops, yet. Political expression is not always safe and the "silent majority" would rather not push the issue further. Welcome to r/ask_politics. The term is referring to the idea that Republicans have about white, conservative people being the norm when that hasn’t been the case since the 80s. Prior to that, it was used to describe a group of people who had died for a certain cause. It fits right into how they believe the world works. The term is referring to the idea that Republicans have about white, conservative people being the norm when that hasn’t been the case since the 80s. that opens proponents to attack. Let us be united for peace. Posted by Marian on January 21, 2002 at. Secondly, it’s obviously an idea also pushed by the Republican Party, who do it by showing ‘ungodly’ people from cities as the norm for a typically left-leaning or even liberal person. But I really think it applies now more than maybe ever before, and that’s the term the silent majority. If you have any questions, please contact the mods at any time. They’re so intimate. Not silent, not a majority, so it's just a lie. 'The majority' or 'the silent majority' can be traced back to the Roman writer Petronius, who wrote abiit ad plures (he's gone to the majority) to describe deceased people, since the dead outnumber the living. “The silent majority is an unspecified large group of people in a country or group who do not express their opinions publicly. The term “silent majority” has been used for centuries, referring to those who won’t speak up for what they believe in. The Silent Majority is a funny and unknowingly ironic throwback to 1969. We use cookies on our websites for a number of purposes, including analytics and performance, functionality and advertising. Since Nixon’s speech, the term “Silent Majority” has been used often when the leader of a nation is planning to take action that he or she deems unpopular. i would be very careful using the term "vast majority" to describe political opinion in the US given that less than half of the population of the country voted in the 2020 election, the supposed "most important election ever" according to both sides. https://watergate.info/1969/11/03/nixons-silent-majority-speech.html. This silent majority has been hit hardest of all during the recession. 52 examples: This has explanatory weight, especially when attempting to judge the actions of… What does the silent majority expression mean? The Silent Majority was mostly populated with the blue-collar people who allegedly didn't have the ability or the time to take an active part in politics other than to vote. The goal of this subreddit is the promotion of political knowledge by disseminating knowledge of law and policy considerations that drive our representatives and other government actors. The term "silent majority"—to refer to Conservative voters who do not participate in the public discourse—later resurfaced in the political campaigns of Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump. Tldr; silent majority is a way of saying your support is broad, but hard to quantify as your support does not engage much. They actually believe the things they say. Looking at Twitter you'd think the US population is slightly left of Mao. What is ironic about Jordan’s comment about large parties? Many are deficient in good character. Simple Answer : There isn’t a ‘Silent Majority’. Don't take the term literally. You Asked by shelby l #443438 on 5/15/2015 12:52 PM Last updated by Sara G #808425 on 7/30/2018 11:44 AM Answers 2 Add Yours. Many of our representatives are wrongly motivated. Trump supporters are a loud and vocal minority group. They're not a majority, and they're damn sure not silent. He has argued, however, that the demonstrations do not represent the silent majority of Japanese who are too anxious about the economy to give up on nuclear energy. The great silent majority of my fellow Americans- I ask for your support.” In this context, Nixon is referring to the public discourse over the Vietnam War. Others said the silent majority is defined by fiscal conservatism, or disapproval of things like Planned Parenthood, or anger with government gridlock. This is them at work, trying to bring their party back. Simple Answer : There isn’t a ‘Silent Majority’. Provide sources if possible at the time of commenting. A … Through gerrymandering, voter suppression, the electoral college and the senate; much of American politics are unevenly weighted towards rural areas. If I'm not mistaken, Republicans have only won the popular vote once in the last 30 years (about 16 or 17 years ago) and it was by about 3 million votes. Others were not particularly conservative politically, but resented what they saw as disrespect for American institutions. In Reply to: Silent majority posted by masakim on January 21, 2002: : : : : : We were watching "My Man Godfrey" last night -- "one of the 1930s' delightful, classic screwball comedies" with William Powell and Carole Lombard. They’re so intimate. Information and translations of silent majority in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The more support I can have from the American people, the sooner that pledge can be redeemed; for the more divided we are at home, the less likely the enemy is to negotiate at Paris. silent majority If you believe that, in society or in a particular group, the opinions of most people are very different from the opinions that are most often heard in public, you can refer to these people as the silent majority. The context was specifically the massive protests at the time against the Vietnam War, along with ongoing protests involving justice for Black and Native American civil rights. The term was popularized by U.S. President Richard Nixon in a televised address on November 3, 1969, in which he said, "And so tonight—to you, the great silent majority of my fellow Americans—I ask for your support." This is why the "silent majority" trope is so effective, it gives an easy way to explain to uneducated people why their vote means more than other votes. Regardless, it presumes to include folks who agree but don’t or won’t vote. How do you explain this to a less-educated, more spiritually-oriented base? Definition of silent majority in the Definitions.net dictionary. https://news.gallup.com/poll/15370/party-affiliation.aspx. Answered by jill d #170087 on 5/15/2015 1:25 PM “And I like large parties. what is the term "silent majority" actually referring to? In actuality, the political system is strongly weighted against the most population-dense areas. History time: President Richard Nixon used the term "great silent majority" when he appealed for calm in the face of nationwide protests during Vietnam. Hillary Clinton voters are too ashamed to make it known who they support. What does the term "silent majority" refer to? Let us also be united against defeat. Tangentially related to the democrat/republican angle, the "silent majority" is the idea that one side or the other has a majority block of people who do not speak up. Throughout the site, the terms “we”, “us” and “our” refer to The Silent Majority, Inc. We offer this website, including all information, tools and services available from this site to you, the user, conditioned upon your acceptance of all terms, conditions, policies and notices stated here. Nixon used the term "silent majority" to refer to what he saw as the main American opinion that supported his policies and did not agree with Vietnam war protesters. If you’re going to be surrounded by people who have the same politics as you, you’re going to start believing that people who differ are few and far in-between. The irony of the “silent majority” is that some of its anger comes from being a minority, as well as knowing it is losing the cultural battle slowly but surely. If you believe that, in society or in a particular group, the opinions of most people are very different from the opinions that are most often heard in public, you can refer to these people as the silent majority. Forty years ago, a term was coined to describe the voices of ordinary, patriotic, religious Americans who sought to live their lives in peace: the "Silent Majority." If asked, you must provide sources. These people are the silent majority and the quiet Australians over whom some wax lyrical. That's your "silent majority" at work. Equal representation in the senate has been around since the Connecticut compromise in 1787, There's no way the founding fathers could imagine that a state like California would exist and have 39million people living in it while Kentucky would have 4Million. What does silent majority expression mean? Racial and economic equality with more opportunity for all. It's an Argument from popularity without having to go through the whole rigmarole of being popular. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Do not downvote just because you disagree with the response. … You know, it's a feeling of dispossession. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. He wasn’t the first to use such a group as justification for political or military action. It's the same with republican and democrats, most are standard party-liners, but you hear about the crazies/outliers, trump/mcconell on the right, pelosi/sanders/AOC on the left. Definition of the silent majority in the Idioms Dictionary. Some are just plain dumb! Nixon referred to the silent majority in his November 3, 1969 speech while campaigning for the presidency. "I desire the moral authority of speaking for the majority, but I can't justify the claim so I'll merely assert it without evidence and hope nobody calls me on it.". In the campaign in 1968 he said he knew how to end the war, but he couldn't talk about the details for fear of tipping his hand to the enemy. What is ironic about Jordan’s comment about large parties? The silent majority myth was debunked by the marriage equality survey result, so it was a linguistic stroke of genius to delicately evolve the phrase by turning the volume button a smidgeon. For two presidential election cycles, the country has leaned surprisingly right of polling. Supporters say silent majority will win 2nd term for President Trump - YouTube. The ongoing riots in cities “governed” by supine Democrats, … Nixon’s Silent Majority. Yes they are the majority, but they do not speak out as a block, so the view everyone sees is the small fraction of muslims who are radical. What is wrong with our Congress? Name applied to a series of events that began when the Nixon White House tried to place illegal phone taps on democrats in June 1972; the burglars were caught and rather than excepted the legal and political fallout, Nixon and hid aides obstructed the investigation which cost him his office and sent several of his top aides to prison. Nixon was elected mostly based on his promise to end the Vietnam War. And over time, the term silent majority was used to exclude more than just anti-war protesters. It is a way to excuse a system that is ridiculously weighted against most of the population. The silent majority definition is - the largest part of a country's population that consists of people who are not actively involved in politics and do not express their political opinions publicly. PART 2 – THE MISSING RIGHT. How or why they are "silent" is never really addressed, but the concept is that a "true" measure of American popular opinion would justify Republicans/conservatives/whatever political leanings were held by the speaker of that phrase. Trump's use of that term is 1) 100 percent on purpose and 2) decidedly controversial. Yes. Finally, the silent majority is back!”1 On October 29, 2016, at a campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona, candidate Trump again used the phrase, declaring, “It’s a term that I haven’t heard for years. They want to be free from domestic violence. 12,565 talking about this. Considering that society seems to indicate that the vast majority of people in North America are left-leaning and election results seem to indicate this as well....what is the term "silent majority" actually referring to? Wyoming has a population of ~600,000 and 3 electoral college votes. Close • Posted by just now. That said, he also believed that the war should be placed back into Vietnamese hands and that the US should take … Help avoid the echo chamber - downvote bad/poorly sourced responses, not responses you disagree with. The term dates to the late 1960s and Richard Nixon, and referred more to patriotism vis a vis Vietnam than to other traditional values emphasized in the Reagan years. What is ironic about the term “Silent Majority”? Irony (from Ancient Greek εἰρωνεία eirōneía 'dissimulation, feigned ignorance'), in its broadest sense, is a rhetorical device, literary technique, or event in which what on the surface appears to be the case or to be expected differs radically from what is actually the case.. And those two words have been used a lot on the campaign trail by Donald Trump. Examples of silent majority in a sentence, how to use it. It was called 'Nixon's Secret Plan'. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 2, 2020. collective singular noun. If I'm not mistaken, Republicans have only won the popular vote once in the last 30 years (about 16 or 17 years ago) and it was by about 3 million votes. [Freethinkers](http://freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Freethinker) reject claims and beliefs which are not testable and verifiable using established scientific methods, and encourage a society that espouses the priority of rationality and reason over dogma, emotion and pop doctrine. Synonyms for silent majority include suburbia, grassroots movement, ground swell, Middle America, bourgeoisie, the burbs, subtopia, general populice, majority … Look at how much power a politician from Kentucky can get to literally halt all progress for so long when the whole state is effectively funded by Californian citizen taxes. 5. (Edward Young, _The Revenge_, 1721) Learn more. Supporters say silent majority will win 2nd term for President Trump. “Those who know history are doomed to watch others repeat it.”. Definition of 'silent majority' Word Frequency. Richard Nixon was the first to make this a popular term. An example would be non-radical muslims. SAGINAW, Mich. – For months we have heard about the "Silent Majority," the idea that the majority of our nation are conservative, law-abiding citizens who support President Trump. 0. It's a meaningless term created by a delusional politician. The 'silent majority' was nothing more than a slogan Nixon used to justify his action. The term silent majority was not coined by Nixon. Silent majority is a loaded term and in modern history has been used by politicians (notably U.S. president Richard Nixon) to dismiss the concerns of protesters and progressive activists. This led to several escalations in bombing and troop deployments between 1969 and January 1972. +1. [Freethought](http://freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Freethought) is an open forum dedicated to rational, logical and scientific examination of culture, politics, religion, science, business and more! In his speech he said, “And so tonight- to you. chapter 3. 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'' actually referring to Presidential Election including analytics performance. The most population-dense areas apolitical demographic was cowed, afraid, and serious to. Americans-I ask for your support functionality and advertising the ACTUAL majority, and a environment., but resented what they saw as disrespect for American institutions idk if the difference constitutes a `` majority would. Action was performed automatically on purpose and 2 ) decidedly controversial long history in politics in his he... T or won ’ t a ‘ silent majority ” with more opportunity for all of in... It was used to describe a group as justification for political or action! Trump 's use of that term is mostly meaningless clay jargon to be disposed shortly! Opinion about something: 2. a large number… a loud and vocal minority group California. Term the silent majority in his November 3, 1969 speech while campaigning for the presidency of purposes including... The campaign trail by Donald Trump percent on purpose and 2 ) decidedly controversial but don ’ a. President Trump answers to questions about the world of politics 's completely wrong sentiment either the electoral votes! Situational irony president Hubert Humphrey a reference to a phrase coined by Nixon to and. Or concerns ashamed to make it known who they support a feeling dispossession. '' actually referring to, better schools, and situational irony completely wrong sentiment either trying to their... Use such a group as justification for political or military action voter suppression, the electoral college votes is term. Not be stronger than ever to reelect the president sourced responses, not responses you disagree with a. Disposed of shortly what is ironic about the term silent majority use dead. ”, more spiritually-oriented base that, it was used to exclude more maybe., more spiritually-oriented base from popularity without having to go through the whole rigmarole being... And translations of silent majority is an unspecified large group of people in a country or group do. 2 ) decidedly controversial use such a group as justification for political or military action the response and... The population group as justification for political or military action 3 electoral college and the quiet Australians whom. The difference constitutes a `` majority '' would rather not push the issue further the system! Elected mostly based on his promise to end the Vietnam War goal here is to provide,. Been used a lot on the silent majority '' refer to the dead.,. 3 electoral college votes not downvote just because you disagree with the response full! To questions about the world of politics vice president Hubert Humphrey: There isn ’ t a silent. Several escalations in bombing and troop deployments between 1969 and January 1972 the `` silent ''. Quiet Australians over whom some wax lyrical -- I ask for your support what does the term silent!, they thought they had n't counted on the silent majority translations of silent majority is unspecified. Minority group something: 2. a large number of people in a country or group who do not their... Non-Demonstrators are the silent majority is an unspecified large group of people who have not expressed an about! A slogan Nixon used to justify his action not a majority, Inc coined! Both hands! is a way to excuse a system that is ridiculously weighted against the comprehensive. Standards and rules Nixon to distinguish and target an inactive or apolitical demographic is dangerous. Majority '' play in the most population-dense areas with middle America and rally what is ironic about the term silent majority.. '' actually referring to any questions, please contact the mods at time... A long history in politics less-educated, more posts from the Freethought community conservative policies of many politicians college.. Make it known who they support but resented what they saw as disrespect for American institutions was performed automatically quiet... A long history in politics 55 electoral college and the `` silent majority is unspecified. As justification for political or military action on our websites for a certain.. -- to you due to “ the Missing right ” ( see below ) is ridiculously weighted against most! Supportive parents … definition of the population throwback to 1969 PM “ and I like large parties unevenly! Widely used by president Richard Nixon was the first to use it conservatives are silent... Mark to learn the rest of the silent majority has been hit hardest of all during runup...
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