The term “anglo-Saxon,” historically referring to Germanic peoples who settled in Britain,has evolved into a contested label increasingly recognized as a racialist dog whistle,particularly within white supremacist circles. Recent commentary and analysis highlight the term’s appropriation by extremist groups and it’s problematic implications in contemporary discourse.
While originally denoting a specific cultural and linguistic group, “Anglo-Saxon” has been deliberately repurposed to signify white identity and promote exclusionary ideologies. This shift gained traction in the 19th and 20th centuries,fueled by nationalist and racialist thought,and continues to be utilized by far-right movements to foster a sense of shared ancestry and perceived superiority. The term’s use is frequently enough linked to anti-immigrant sentiment and the propagation of white nationalist narratives.
Historian Edmond Demolins’ critique of the term’s request by Charles Maurras in the late 19th century foreshadowed this evolution,noting a divergence from Latin approaches to social and economic questions. This past context underscores the term’s long association with specific ideological positions.
The phrase has also drawn criticism on the international stage.U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne M. Tracy publicly denounced the term as “very strange,” emphasizing that it clashes with the multicultural reality of the United States, a nation built on diversity. Her statement highlights the term’s incompatibility with inclusive values and its potential to alienate individuals from diverse backgrounds.
