I’ve been thinking a lot about the “us vs. them” mentality with all of the unrest going on in the world. Back when I was looking into research positions at Harvard, I found one studying this phenomenon. Here are the relevant characteristics listed in the job description: “…how failures of empathy, dehumanization, and misunderstanding unfold in the mind and brain.” Re: failures of empathy, dehumanization, & misunderstanding. Regardless of what side someone takes in a conflict, having an “us vs. them” mentality typically includes these characteristics, and the phenomenon is getting studied for a very important reason—to understand, and thereby avoid, unproductive / destructive behavioral consequences. Past research on this issue has come to the conclusion that this type of thinking does very little good for society at large. I decided to finally post about this (since I’m already on a roll with the poli-psych insights) after being instantly & angrily labelled a “racist, white supremacist” for trying to illuminate critical factors that lead to our racist, ineffective, destructive, corrupt, prejudice, ect police force. This person self-admittedly & proudly feels “us vs. them” about the cause, and I totally understand that—I have certainly been guilty of such black & white thinking before. It puts people in a very meaningful-feeling rally mode that comes with an overwhelming feeling of purpose, euphoria, and power. So here’s the point of this status: I urge people to try, at least try, stepping back from firm beliefs & escalated emotional states (get grounded), do some extensive research, try putting oneself in other people’s shoes (as best as one can), step back forward, and then come to a conclusion. The ability to do this is a key characteristic of empathy—a trait that many cops lack, and a trait that I would hate to see my fellow activists lacking as well. Ive been posting this stuff because I want to spark change in the most effective and peaceful means possible. If others agree and would like to do the same, feel free to message me to brainstorm & collaborate on proactive efforts.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 02:51:26 +0000
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