Red Apple Liberal

Noun, somewhat derogatory

A kind of North American liberal one may come across on the internet or even in real life. Usually white and middle class. Often works as a schoolteacher but calls themselves an “educator”. Tends to believe that bigotry is caused by a lack of education, that funding schools will fix most social ills, and that being a librarian or schoolteacher is “punk rock”. Naturally opposed to right-wing ideology, and will tell you conservative politicians are trying to make everyone stupid. Also obsessed with PBS for some reason.

The “red apple” part makes reference to the cliché of a student gifting their teacher a shiny red apple, encapsulating the romanticised, Norman Rockwell-esque vision of public schooling they aggrandise.

X: “Public schools are the backbone of democracy! Nothing else is wrong with them except budget cuts”

Y: “Your backbone of democracy has a tendency to expel Black children at a higher rate. Go home, Red Apple Liberal”

Red Apple Liberal by gutsguts August 30, 2026