Radicalization

Ordinary people can be convinced to commit acts of violence if they believe three things:

1. They are in grave danger

2. Violence is the only way to resolve the situation

3. The people who are putting them in danger do not deserve respect or empathy

Statements like the following can encourage such beliefs, especially when the statements are made by trusted sources and repeated frequently.

Group X is going to take your job away.

Group X is going to bring crime to your neighborhood.

Group X is going to take away your way of life.

Group X is going to rape your women.

Group X is going to kill you.

Group X is going to replace you.

Now, let’s do a thought experiment. In the statements above, replace Group X with any of the following:

Immigrants

Elites

Liberals

Democrats

Gay people

Trans people

Black people

Jewish people

Muslims

Public health officials

Do the statements sound familiar? Have you heard some of these things said before?

In recent years, statements like this have been broadcast relentlessly online, over the airwaves, and by politicians who speak to large audiences.

Sometimes the messages are stated directly, which can be jolting to hear. Sometimes, the messages are expressed in code to make them sound softer.

Words such as “border”, “crime”, and “bathroom” will make people think if particular segments of the population. Words like “rights”, “mandate”, and “election integrity” suggest nefarious actions by a political party. The code does not dilute the impacts of the message.

The result is the demonization and dehumanization. If people can be convinced that Group X is not only threatening but also unworthy, it becomes easier to commit acts of violence against Group X.

Combine a sense of imminent danger with the sense that the people who want to harm you are unworthy, and you can convince people to do just about anything: storm the Capitol, plot to kidnap a sitting governor, assault the spouse of a high ranking official, run into a pizza restaurant with an assault rifle.

This is not theoretical. This is happening NOW. These messages are being transmitted constantly on radio, podcasts, social media, and cable TV. The violence will continue as long as the messages are being sent, and over time it’s going to get worse and worse.