Words Matter: Learning to Speak the Truth in a Manipulated World

I’ll be honest—I don’t know enough. Not about the words that are shaping the world around me, not about the labels being thrown around like weapons, not about the history that everyone else seems to already understand. And I hate that. Because let’s be real—knowing history hasn’t stopped a damn thing from repeating itself. We’ve studied, documented, and analyzed every failure, and yet here we are, watching the same patterns play out again.

But we’re learning. And we can learn together, right?

I never expected to have to care about words like fascist, imperialist, authoritarian, or even phrases like FAFO. But this is the world we’re in, and if we want to be effective in the fight, we have to get this right. Words aren’t just words—they’re tools, weapons, shields, and sometimes traps. They can be used to clarify or to confuse, to liberate or to control.

Language is power, and power gets abused. Some words are used so recklessly they lose meaning; others are deliberately twisted to manipulate. We’re pulling these words apart, figuring out what they really mean, and refusing to let them be used against us.

This project is about aligning our meanings with language, getting past the knee-jerk reactions, and making sure the words we choose actually match our intent. It’s about learning, questioning, and getting sharper. If we don’t understand the words being used against us—or even the ones we’re using ourselves—we risk fighting ghosts instead of reality.

I’m stepping into this fully aware of my own gaps, and I welcome others who are willing to learn, challenge, and grow alongside me. I am not an expert, and I am as susceptible to manipulations as anyone. That stops now! This isn’t just about being right; it’s about getting it right.

We don’t know exactly how this plays out. No one does. But what we do know is that words shape reality.

Breaking Down the Words That Shape the Fight

FAFO

What it is: FAFO stands for “Fuck Around and Find Out.” It means actions have consequences, but its tone depends on who’s using it.

How it’s used now: Often used mockingly, FAFO is a way to ridicule bad decisions. In leftist circles, it’s aimed at right-wing voters who backed harmful policies and suffered for it. Example: “Farmer fucked around and voted for Trump—now he’s homeless. Guess he found out.” It’s a way to express schadenfreude—finding satisfaction in seeing someone suffer consequences they should have expected.

How it’s weaponized: FAFO is also used as a threat, meaning “Mess around, and you’ll pay for it.” In some cases, it’s been adopted by violent groups to justify retaliation. This takes it from a simple “cause and effect” phrase to something more aggressive and dangerous.

How we should handle it:

FAFO is an ugly phrase. Can you really imagine how this opens doors?

Fascist

What it is: Originally, fascism refers to an authoritarian, ultranationalist system where the government suppresses opposition and controls society through force. It’s historically tied to Mussolini and Hitler.

How it’s used now: Today, fascist is often thrown at anyone with authoritarian tendencies, but that may give them too much credit. Fascism has a clear ideological framework, while many modern political figures—Trump included—lack a consistent ideology. They embrace authoritarianism but without the structured vision of historical fascist leaders., whether they fit the actual definition or not. Right-wing figures are commonly labeled fascists, but some use the term for leftist control as well, diluting its meaning.

How it’s weaponized: It’s used to instantly delegitimize opponents—if someone is a fascist, there’s no debate to be had. While real fascism is a serious threat, overusing the word weakens its impact and makes it easier for actual fascists to dismiss accusations.

How we should handle it: Use fascist carefully. If someone fits the actual definition, call it what it is—but recognize when it’s being used as an insult instead of a precise critique.

Authoritarian

What it is: A governing system where power is centralized, and individual freedoms are heavily restricted. Unlike fascism, authoritarianism isn’t inherently nationalistic—it’s about control over people, not necessarily racial or national supremacy.

How it’s used now: The term gets slapped on any leader or government seen as overreaching. Sometimes it’s accurate, but it’s also used loosely to describe any policy someone dislikes.

How it’s weaponized: Labeling something authoritarian makes it sound oppressive, even if it’s just regulation. It can be used to discredit both legitimate rules (public health mandates) and real power grabs (dictatorship tactics).

How we should handle it: Ask: Does this actually restrict freedoms, or is it just a policy I don’t like? The difference matters.

Imperialist

What it is: Imperialism is about expanding power through military, political, or economic dominance. It’s historically tied to colonialism and global exploitation.

How it’s used now: Often applied to any international action by the U.S., even when it doesn’t fit the definition. Russia is a textbook match to this word. Its invasion of Ukraine, forced cultural assimilation, and political control over neighboring states align perfectly with historical imperialism. It’s also used to critique corporations and cultural influence, sometimes accurately, sometimes not.

How it’s weaponized: It can be a lazy critique—calling something imperialist shuts down discussion without examining the details. Not every foreign policy move is imperialism, but actual economic and military control tactics still exist.

How we should handle it: Use it when it fits. If a country is imposing control, exploiting resources, or enforcing dominance, imperialism applies. If it’s just global influence, maybe it’s something else.

Oligarchy

What it is: A system where a small, wealthy elite controls power, either through government, corporations, or both.

How it’s used now: More people are recognizing the U.S. as an oligarchy disguised as a democracy, where billionaires and corporations hold more power than voters.

How it’s weaponized: Some use the term to dismiss any concentration of power, even when it doesn’t apply. Others avoid using it entirely to downplay how much control the ultrarich actually have.

How we should handle it: If billionaires and corporations have more influence than the people, call it what it is. Pretending democracy works perfectly only helps the few in charge.

Be Part of This

Every word we’ve broken down has its own built-in call to action. Understanding language is power. If we don’t see through the manipulations, we can’t fight them effectively.

And this is just the beginning. There are so many more words to unpack, and I’m not done. I don’t want to just talk at you—I want to learn with you.

I’m not an expert. I don’t claim to have all the answers. What I do have is the willingness to break this down in real time, in front of you, with you.

So, help shape where this goes. Tell me what words to cover next. Join my Discord. Be part of directing this blog. I do this for me first, but I also do this for you—because we are us.

Hey, I have a shop now!