The "dog whistle" smear

In the news media, you can frequently read descriptions of certain statements as being "dog whistles".

What does this mean?

It means that people who respond to those statements are being compared to dogs.

It really is that simple.

People on the right are this being stigmatized.

But try criticizing those on the left.

You are a bigot, a racist, a sexist, a homophobe, a transphobe, an anti-Semite, etc.