Let us pretend for a moment that our very essence and identity as a person is under attack by people who have dehumanized others. That would be an extreme sense of entitlement that could easily warp system outcomes beyond systematic intentionality. If that dehumanizing went to a point that a number of corrupted authority figures felt comfortable "fudging" the law to harm what they categorized as second class citizens we might have a type of psuedo cleansing (depending on intent, breadth, and coordinated effort). Difficulties in reversing its effects both during and after the rampage would be a sign that there is something not exactly right that might prompt us to make meaningful and reasonable change. Such fundamental wrongness might also launch federal oversight to ensure full functioning of the whole system for the most amount of people (In alignment with our American values).
First, let us not get too excited because this is a hypoethetical example acting as a thought experiment to explore the nature of hate, corruption and extremism in modern society. In this example a Catholic, Muslim, Jew (representing the spirit of religion and not any specific religion.) was targeted by extremists and ostracized by a homogeneous clan in order to help enrich some members, protect wrongdoing, and maintain "purity" of social affiliations and networks. In this example, there was a complete default in local justice due to extreme ideologies and social connections that warped the mental lenses used to judge others (Intentionally dehumanizing the good and value of fellow citizens for non merited reasons.).
Imagine if there was no backstops or reversals anywhere in the system and good Americans were left to fend for themselves if they believe in their American values or forced to placate hate (Some of us will not learn from history.). In this hypothetical example for learning purposes we may find that not changing would be a significant indication of a declining democracy where institutions are confused as to their purpose and stakeholders (100% institution 110% society). It doesn't take long for hate mongers and extremists to learn that it is possible to act with impunity based on bias in the system.(Keep in mid this is a hypothetical example so relax and take a breath. It is meant to help you see "the other".).
Any good patriotic American who believes in their oaths and duties would challenge such unchecked hate, corruption, and extremism in any legal way they could to preserve sacred value of such ideas. It would be a type of moral duty and those who don't believe in those values we might question their commitments. Despite being a direct recipient of what apppeared to be professional criminal behavior the victims continued to be positive, polite, truthful and engaging to perpetrators in hopes of lending them a helping hand in their personal and moral development. The more the victims withstood blow upon blow, the more enraged the perpetrators were as though blind power is the only true power (Another power can come from truth, justice, humanity, etc. that can overcome blind power. They are slower and require more thoughfulness. Dark triad personalities often rely heavily on formal coercive power while neglecting the other types. Types of Power)
Now put that patriotic person under a dehumanized lens often used by extremists, hate mongers, and corrupted souls and they are draped in a much darker looking suit (Never judge a book by its cover.). They are not only not worthy of basic respect honored to any living being but it becomes justifiable to use intimidation to ensure they understand their place (i.e. social heirarchy). When systems default there are all types of destructive things that happen to victims but also a decline un trust in the system itself. Setting the wrong tone by rewarding perpetrators and solidifying poor behaviors isn't only negligence but a willful errosion of the institutional foundations (Administrators are either commited to the bigger picture or they are committed to their perceptions, feelings, whims, parties and bigotries. Administrators have a moral duty to strengthen the insitution for all of society.)
Things began to change, as all things change and the colors of the season began to brighten with greater awareness. The victims only needed a conduit and opportunity speak up in a way that couldn't be ignored, falsified, or swept away. They grieved so publically for all the world to see that retaliations were deemed obvious and blatant protections for misbehaviors. The culture of hate, corruption and extremism of some officials was deeply embedded but despite best attemps still began to break down through the influence of collective good will. Powerful segregationists and extremists stepped in to support corruption and those efforts were rebuffed by patriotic Americans that care more about their community than outside political manipulation (Politics should never try and uproot the tree of liberty).
Being born here, serving here, doing good for people, a family history here, etc. seemed to not factor into corrupted officials decision making. The dehumanized target took the path of simply being positive and polite to foster new neural networks in perpetrators by increasing brain activity to solve a problem (In our society we also need to care about bigots and criminals to try and encourage reform, redemption, and a better life.). In order to solve this problem the perpetrators had to find a new perspective and that would require a nueural change/new connection that could only come from seeing things in a new way. Continuing to violate rights could not continue unchecked despite the default and negligence of parts of the system. (AI Neural Networks)
In this hypoethical example the victim respects all religions, honors human life, and associates with many races and peoples. Because of their openmindedness and belief in the purpose of American values they are seen as a stain on society and their lives and rights were thrown haphazardly into the wind (If you can't divide people you can't manipulate them. We are all under the same sun so we should not be so easily divided.) The silver lining is that deeply we are connected and the loyal community members who believed in the purpose of their nation began one by one to stand up for their central American values (Not every institutional administrator believes in America and its values the way the people do nor the intent of our fore fathers/mothers. The best and brightest should come forward). The community stood up, victims stood up, some officials stood up and institutions began to adjust (The theory is it is adjusting to a universal democracy where all people are welcome and judged by their merit and essential American values. Race, religion, politics, etc. are not the deciding factor.) The Collective Conscious became aware and common men and women rallied to a flip the script event on hate networks and corrupted officials. That is the power of democracy. It is slow, clunky, can be temporarily derailed by manipulative loud mouths with social networks, and endlessly chaotic but the system functions by creating long term strength through the ultimate societal stakeholders. For those institutional administrators, and officials who dip into the dark art of hate, extremism and corruption we remind you of our deeply rooted stamp of our collective existence- We The People.
Just in case some have forgotten, "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The Pledge of Allegiance
*This is a hypothetical learning example and should be taken with a grain of salt. It is a thought experiment on freedom of religion, speach, the Constitution, and Human/Civil rights. The ending of the story will likely be a positive one.
No comments:
Post a Comment