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 . . . Ahhhh. With the Kavanaugh scream-fest behind us, it’s back to everyday blood-letting. And without a tacitly-agreed theme, the polarizers have to stretch. So it’s back to some old favorites (free speech, women, dark/masked motives, seniors), plus a new idea to run up the flagpole (the other as “mob”) to prove the other side is corrupt, evil, and the enemy of the American people (meaning: us). It would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious.
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
The Republicans’ ‘angry mob’ of protesters is just another dog whistle to scare their dwindling base
The GOP’s ‘angry mob’ smear against women will backfire—wait and see
Republicans Go Full Blown Racist And Warn That Black Mobs Are Coming For Whites On Election Day
How much do Republicans despise women? Oh, let them count the ways
Florida Republicans won’t let a Category 4 hurricane stop them from being deplorable
America’s Seniors Are Drowning in Lies by Trump and Republicans to Boost Big Pharma