How much does language matter?

Is it possible people might be more open to the concept of “defunding” the police if it didn’t sound like a total abolition of law enforcement? Would some people be more likely to support that concept if it were framed as a reallocation of funding toward other programs that can provide services in a way that is both helpful to the police and the communities they (are supposed to) serve?

Do you think people might be more open to understanding the concept of systemic racism if it were not lumped in with the classic understanding of “racism” as actively hating people with a different skin color?

Of course, there will always been people who lean into extreme perspectives and would never accept these types of concepts, but isn’t it possible that not framing it in such a way might reach those who don’t? Does the language that we use to discuss these things have an impact on how receptive other people will be to new ideas?