Average Quote by Anand Giridharadas
“Election time is when you start to hear about 'average people,' 'working families,' 'patriotic Americans' and such.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Politics of Average, The Atlantic, 2023
Political rhetoric paints a monolithic “average” citizen, masking diverse realities and simplifying complex social issues.
In simple terms: Political language oversimplifies diverse people.
Key Takeaway
Question the “average” narrative.
Themes
politics
media
identity
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- campaign strategy
- public policy
- media analysis
- civic education
Key Concepts
sociology
critical theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Who is excluded by the “average” label?
- How does this rhetoric affect policy?
A Different Perspective
Simplification can ignore marginalized voices.
![“I don't believe in "average people" doing anything [about the climate]. People outght to support mitigation and adaptation within their own line of work, no matter how un-average that is. I mean: if you're a butcher, baker, ballerina, banker, or a plumber, envision yourself as the post-fossil-fuel…” quote by Bruce Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7fd/bruce-bruce-44351_adaptation_i-don-t-believe-in-average-people-doing_420487.jpg)
