Omekongo Dibinga, PhD — Trigger Words: How Political Language Has Made America Less Inclusive (And How to Bring Us Back Together) - with Dr. Nola Haynes
Omekongo Dibinga, PhD, presents *Trigger Words*, an examination of how political language in the United States has been manipulated to create division, dehumanize people, and undermine inclusion and equity. He considers the ways terms such as “woke,” “DEI,” and “CRT” have been weaponized by conservative movements, while also discussing how some liberal uses of language can dilute or obscure the original meaning of terms such as “homeless,” “African American,” and “Latino.”
The event offers both a diagnosis of this linguistic polarization and a hopeful path forward: understanding the histories behind loaded vocabulary, resisting political manipulation, and reclaiming language as a means of fostering genuine dialogue. Dibinga will discuss these ideas in conversation with Dr. Nola Haynes, a political commentator, media personality, and national security expert.
When: Tuesday, November 17, 2026.
Showtimes: The event begins at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free admission, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Venue: Politics and Prose at 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008.
Featured speaker: Dr. Omekongo Dibinga is a Senior Professorial Lecturer in Intercultural Communication at American University, an award-winning poet, professional speaker, author, community activist, and diversity consultant. His work has taken him to nearly 30 countries, and his academic background includes a Ph.D. in International Education Policy from the University of Maryland, where his dissertation focused on Black youth in the post-Civil Rights era. He has also worked with the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Diverse Students Initiative and written *Lies About Black People*.
Conversation partner: Dr. Nola Haynes is a political voice, media presence, and national security specialist who has appeared on NBC, MSNBC, BBC, NPR, Al Jazeera, and Voice of America. She also hosts *Nola Haynes Is Not A Spy*, serves as a Capitol Hill correspondent for Find Out Media, and regularly contributes to political and media programs.
Book: The discussion centers on Dibinga’s forthcoming book, *Trigger Words: How Political Language Has Made America Less Inclusive (And How to Bring Us Back Together)*. The hardcover is available for preorder for $26.95 and is scheduled for publication on November 17, 2026.
Accessibility: To request accommodations or ask accessibility questions, email events@politics-prose.com, ideally at least one week before the event. The venue will make an effort to accommodate requests made up to the event date.