As tribalism reactionary rhetoric
new meaning and outrage
take center stage in a cultural divide
interpretation becomes key
if you’re trying to effectively
get a point across to the other side

Take for example offensive as in offense
ponder the meaning of this
is it opportunity for advantage
striving for the upper hand in a game
or angst-inducing like a swearword
a hateful or demeaning diss

Is it taking it to the defense individual or team
competition challenge rivalry
engaged in play on the field and trying not to yield
or is it wounding intended imagined or projected
dubious determinism always the victim
using faux moral outrage as a shield

Conclusive cliches like bottom line summarizing
end of the day wrap it up
are fraught with what they haven’t got
answers mollification
justification illumination
anything to satisfy people who would prefer to be not