Four Myths and a Word of Encouragement

By DON ROLLINS

“One of the ingredients for violence and hate is dehumanization, which is present in all divides our society faces: political, racial, gender, class, religion, sexual orientation. This has been a consistent theme in human conflicts throughout time, and we are looking dehumanization in the face today…” — Hofstra Center for Civic Engagement

When it comes to the melting pot narrative of American tolerance for difference, our distinct lived experiences have always fallen grievously short of reality. From the attempted extermination of indigenous nations to the sin of chattel slavery, white supremacy culture has crafted a story devoid of the hatred and loathing that line every chapter - a falsehood that has harmed the republic in ways we’re only beginning to fathom.

Truth is, hatred has been and still is integral to the American experience. And alarmingly predictable, for in instance after instance we can trace four historical myths that fuel toxic tribalism, no matter which “people” are doing the hating.

First is the myth of sacred inheritance: My people are guardians of truth as passed down through the ages. We will not betray our heritage, our honor, our purity.

Second is the myth of self-evident exceptionalism: We are a chosen people, unique and sent forth to live out and spread our forebears’ message. We are bound by our special status.

Third is the myth of constant siege: Those who oppose our way of life are existential threats, always looking for opportunities to oppress us. We must be on guard at all times.

Fourth is the myth of justifiable dehumanization: Our enemies have forfeited their status as our equals, possessing no true humanity. They are part of an underclass of liars and lepers.

Not so long ago such a draconian analysis seemed more suited to militant racists, survivalists and conspiracy theorists than public-square mainstream politicians. It’s not that reactionary hatred combined with power is in any way new to the mix; but while Trumpism may itself be a misnomer, it has nonetheless greenlighted many a dangerous philosophy, theology and ideology at the center of Trump’s party. Hatred begetting hatred has gone legit.

Agree with this reading of the political tea leaves or not, there’s an argument to be made that Trump, McConnell, Graham and their GOP enablers operate from a zero sum, ends-justify-the-means, “thingification” model of governing — a model that dehumanizes even their own supporters, often reducing them to chess pieces to be deployed as needed. It’s a form of cruelty rarely called out by anyone on the right.

After four years of hatred-meets-power, the tasks confronting the new president and vice president are as daunting as we imagine. The margins for error will be thin, and the opposition withering. Yet the early signs say both are committed to reversing as much wholesale hatred and dehumanization as Earthly possible.

For our part, the collective liberal skeptic in us sighs when such lofty goals are cited. It’s been a brutal presidency with brutal results, and some of us have plain forgotten how to hope.

Still, even when hope is hard to find, there’s the word of encouragement one optimistic writer offered once the electoral vote was tallied: we can still choose not to dehumanize the dehumanizers, not because they’re all deserving, but because we don’t want to become them.

Don Rollins is a Unitarian Universalist minister living in Hendersonville, N.C. Email donaldlrollins@gmail.com.

From The Progressive Populist, December 15, 2020

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