Anti-science rhetoric and dehumanization – A dangerous combo

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sesame-place-employee-assaulted-face-mask-punch/

A teen at Sesame Place who reminded a couple of the park’s mask policy was punched in the face by a man. This is a horrible story, and should not have happened. It is not the teen’s fault for creating the pandemic. It is not the teen’s fault for creating the mask policy. All he is doing is doing his job. Not only that, but he is also trying to protect lives, because masks save lives. Masks limit the spread of COVID-19.

I had made a post the other day about how dehumanization is dangerous rhetoric. This is a perfect example of what I mean. Anti-maskers have, in their mind, that mask policies are “tyranny” and that anyone who tries to enact one is a “tyrant.” It is exact kind of thinking that causes people to do all sorts of horrible things to other human beings. It is what allowed the Nazis in WWII to gain power. They dehumanized individuals and groups of individuals to the point that the dehumanization of them becomes normalized. That is the same thing happening now. These anti-maskers have in their mind that Dr. Fauci, health care workers, government officials, China, businesses, corporations, and anyone else that they can think of, are responsible for their problems, are evil, and are out to destroy the world. They then use those “facts” as justifications for them to act as shitty human beings. They feel justified that they can dehumanize, be apathetic towards, threaten, and even harm another individual, or even groups of individuals.

Trump has created a culture of apathy and hatred. His rhetoric of dehumanization, apathy, anti-science, bigotry, and hatred is emboldening hateful individuals, and normalizing such toxic personality traits. Not only is he normalizing it, but he is also making it mainstream, for the media covers Trump day in and day out. They provide him a platform to spread his hateful rhetoric. What we are seeing is a dangerous precedent being set. The President of The United States is openly attacking people who’s job it is to help others, and he is encouraging his base to act vitriolic towards those individuals.