Word of the Day
June 18, 2020
Normalization
The process of making something seem normal, acceptable, or standard that was previously considered unusual, abnormal, or unacceptable; the gradual acceptance of behaviors, conditions, or policies through repeated exposure.
From the Latin 'normalis' meaning 'made according to a carpenter's square,' via French 'normaliser.' The term gained political significance in the 20th century to describe the process of imposing or accepting new social standards.
Usage Examples
- The constant presence of propaganda on highway signs contributed to the normalization of government messaging in daily life.
- Citizens concerned about liberty pushed back against the normalization of mask mandates as a tool of social control.
- The founders warned against the normalization of executive overreach that could erode constitutional limits on power.
From the Show
The concept of normalization emerged as a central theme when Jason McBride explained his resistance to mask mandates on the June 18, 2020 broadcast. McBride explicitly stated he refuses to wear masks partly because he does not want to “normalize” fearful behavior as part of American identity.