Mo and Adam analyze the linguistic shift from "reparations" to "atonement," citing Herschel Walker's testimony at the HR 40 hearings. They argue that "reparations" implies retribution and punishment, which alienates the public, whereas "atonement" suggests a voluntary act of making things right. They criticize media figures like Laura Ingraham for editorializing these concepts in a way that further divides political factions.