As I see dehumanising images and remarks proliferate on social media, I wonder if we are in danger of forgetting that ALL dehumanisation leads to more of the same.
All war propaganda involves dehumanisation. We are constantly surrounded by war propaganda arising from winner/loser ‘dominator consciousness’, albeit often carefully disguised.
I notice that I myself must be continually alert to the tendencies in myself to see others as ‘less than’ or even ‘more than’. For both lead to separation.
It is seductive to imagine ourselves as somehow superior. This balances out the fears that we are actually worthless which are extremely painful and paralysing.
So illusions of superiority or greater ‘civilisation’ protect us from the darkest places in ourselves.
Except those illusions can’t really protect us when push comes to shove. And we all need care, courage and compassion to face the dark.
This is the courage, coupled with curiosity, which we need to muster in these times.
For dehumanisation is toxic for the soul. It diminishes us all.
Leave a Reply