We, as Americans, cherish the freedom and right to disagree—which we do, often deeply about important issues that need resolution. But polarization undermines that freedom by tightening prejudices rather than opening thought, thus diminishing the chances for finding resolutions and moving forward. So while polarization may feel like a righteous champion of freedom and right, it is in fact just the opposite—a stick jammed in the spokes of the democratic discourse of freedom. Here are some of the common ways it does it:
- SEDUCES with loaded, heated language and childish name-calling that appeals more to emotion that reason.
- BLINKERS by using cherry-picked facts, and ignoring or mocking opposing arguments and evidence rather than actually addressing them.
- TRIVIALIZES by focusing on “straw-man” issues whose value in re-enforcing biases is clearly greater than their substance.
- BULLIES by making you feel like a dupe or a traitor if you even listen to the other side.
- FLATTERS with language and a tone that makes you feel like an insider, who, of course, agrees with them because you “get it” … just like they do.
- FRIGHTENS by portraying the other side as not just wrong, but a dangerous, evil enemy, replete with wicked hidden agendas.
- “CLANS,” that is, plays the “us vs. them” identity politics game of associating the other view with groups or people (implicitly) “inferior” to “us.”
- “TRIBES” by using the knowing winks and nods of sarcasm, coded language, words in quotes (suggesting they’re misleading) and innuendo which you, as a member of the tribe, of course, will understand without explanation or justification.
This week…for an exhilarating few days of breathless finger pointing, “the smirk” captured even more of the polarizer’s angry attention than “the shutdown.” No matter it was a teeny, mis-reported, ephemeral moment. The important thing was, a teen wearing a MAGA hat faced off…or was faced off…or faced down…or something…a protester of something who was—or was not—a Vietnam combat vet. Which clearly proved that they are as despicable as we all knew. Thanks goodness for such a clarifying moment in the national debate. Well worth the ink and air time.
When reading these examples, check the above list and ask yourself: regardless of whether you agree or disagree, is this really advancing an intelligent resolution through the persuasive, rational arguments of advocacy…or simply fueling the fire of conflict through the divisive, emotional manipulations of polarization?
Here are just a few of the blue and red polarizing headlines from the past week.
Blue Headlines
A Lifeless And Defeated Trump Blames Pelosi For His Shutdown
Outrage As MAGA-Wearing HS Kids Taunt Native Elder At Indigenous Peoples March
As Details Emerge, Covington Catholic Kids STILL Are Entitled, Racist White Boys
MAGA Hat Teen Claims Native Elder ‘Was In My Face’
The Covington Fiasco Is a Perfect Example of Why the Founders Distrusted Democracy
If you thought Republicans might worry over Trump perhaps being a Russian asset, you were wrong
The Trump administration’s racism was just blocked by its incompetence
Red Headlines
The Democrats Own the Shutdown
Covington Student Was Indicted for the Sin of Smirking While White
Nathan Phillips Tried to Disrupt Catholic Mass by Chanting, Beating Drum
Trump Says Covington Boys Coverage Shows How ‘Evil’ Fake News Can Be
NRO Pushed Covington Hoax to Win ‘Approval of the Mainstream Media’
The Smearing of Teens in MAGA Hats Shows Identity Politics’ Danger