Boriswave, fighting-age men, cultural Marxism: how the far right is changing how we speak

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Today in Focus

This episode is titled:

Boriswave, fighting-age men, cultural Marxism: how the far right is changing how we speak

Notable Quotes

"This is a way of framing it not as a kind of broader dynamic... but as part of a kind of right wing conspiracy theory that there is this plan to replace the West with people from the non West."

"They see politics as a kind of game where the goal is to post the most resonant content, to get the most likes, to get the biggest response from your enemies."

Episode Summary

In this episode of Today in Focus, host Helen Pidd discusses the term 'Boris Wave,' coined by far-right circles to describe an increase in migration to the UK from non-EU countries. The term reflects a broader phenomenon but is also a euphemism for racially charged sentiments. Dr. Robert Topinka, an expert in reactionary digital politics, explains how language is used strategically within political discourse, especially by the far-right to frame complex issues into simplified narratives that vilify immigrants. The term gained traction online through social media networks, especially after being adopted by figures like Nigel Farage, who links it to contentious immigration policies. This episode illustrates how language can shape perceptions of migration while emphasizing the risks associated with normalizing far-right terminology in mainstream conversations.

Key Takeaways

The term 'Boris Wave' originated from far-right online communities and is a racially charged euphemism.

Far-right groups effectively manipulate language to frame complex social issues, making them more digestible and creating scapegoats.

The spread of such terms into mainstream discourse often obscures the complex realities of migration and complicates policy debates.