Avoiding the use of dehumanizing language for other people is surprisingly hard for me to, and that's part of why it feels important. But, wow, it's a struggle!
Conversation
When people who study genocide report that dehumanization of others is an early step in the process of genocide, I'm like Cool, got it, I won't call anyone a "rat" or an "ape" or anything like that! But twice in the past week I've caught myself using dehumanizing language.
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One was for a man in the area who allegedly had a rap sheet that included cattle theft. I called him a "piece of sh*t." Oops
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The other was regarding a neighbor who yelled at me when I called to tell him we'd penned a couple of his steers, assuming that I could have easily put them back where they came from, assuming I had them off feed and water, and not yet knowing we'd pulled their porcupine quill.
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I called that guy an asshole, though not to his face. (I like to mute angry men on the phone). But honestly, he's not an asshole. He clearly needs therapy, he wants to do better, he probably is in chronic physical pain, and sometimes he slips.
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What is probably a more accurate view is so much harder to say, and a lot less delicious. How can I revel in righteous indignation when I remember the hurt child and broken body within mean men?
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Replying to
Hmm I think there’s a difference between thinking/using dehumanizing language used against a group vs against an individual. I can’t recall the last time I did the former but I often at least think the latter and feel zero guilt for that. The former is often darker/more serious.
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Replying to
I hear you and had the same thought. But let me tell you, sometimes I have to check my prejudice towards white men.
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Replying to
A lot of dehumanization is actually self-dehumanization, when people kinda degenerate to fit into certain groups for the perks. To your example, the “white frat boy” negative stereotype kicks in for me when they are in groups, but many are perfectly nice guys in isolation
Direct relationship between the size of the group and magnitude of that stereotype
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