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 . . . we mourn.
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 is an overview of some of the month’s polarizing headlines.
Red Headlines
LEFT-WING VIOLENCE: Two Republican Candidates Punched in Minnesota
WHY ARE DEMOCRATS SO VIOLENT? Two GOP Candidates Assaulted in Minnesota:
The Democrat Party is a Mob, Nothing More
Media Misses: Reporters Refuse to Recognize Leftist ‘Mob’ Rule
Leftist Calmly Takes Down Cruz Signs, Suddenly Appears Possessed & Charges Owner
Multiple Reports Of Left-Wing Partisans Attacking GOP Candidates, Staffers
Republican headquarters vandalized
The Psychotic Left Pledges To Intensify Violence After Kavanaugh Confirmation
Watch: Fed Up Lindsey Graham Mocks Lying Kavanaugh Haters to Their Faces
Racist NBC Lashes Out at “White Women” After Kavanaugh Confirmation Vote
Watch Deranged Leftists Protest Kavanaugh, As Planned Parenthood Threatens Senators
The Kavanaugh Crazy Motivated Me To Rejoin The Republican Party
Left Has Ripped Away The Pretense That The Supreme Court Isn’t Political
Reporter Who Was Assaulted By GOP Congressman Calls Him a Coward
Blue Headlines
The Grand Old Rapist Party Had Its Coming Out With Kavanaugh Confirmation
Republican House Candidates Pay Protesters To Violently Disrupt Nancy Pelosi Event
The Republicans’ ‘angry mob’ of protesters is just another dog whistle to scare their dwindling base
It’s Never A Stalinist Purge If You’re A Republican
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
Trump brags about GOP congressman’s assault of reporter to a cheering crowd
Kavanaugh op-ed shows how he’d judge: As a self-righteous, entitled bully
Kavanaugh claims he’s not really the raging angry guy, but he really is
Key senators embrace crackpot conspiracy theory to justify Kavanaugh support
Mitch McConnell Lashes Out At Peaceful Women Who Used ‘Mob-like Tactics’ To Oppose Kavanaugh
Here Are The Facts: Right Wing Political Violence Far Outweighs Left Wing ‘Angry Mobs’
The president is in favor of Republicans assaulting journalists