The funnel from hate to violence

Ever since I became interested in social justice issues as a young adult, I've been haunted by the idea (the fact?) that it often seems much harder to bring people together in solidarity than to divide them with fear, resentment, hate and the worse angels of our nature. 

Today, we're living in times when hate speech has become normalized and what were once fringe ideas are now spewed in broad daylight. It kind of reminds me of the old story that a frog won't notice when water heats up until it's too late.

 (Please don't try that at home--I love frogs!)

This isn't an original idea by any means, but I think the process by which some people become radicalized into committing acts of violence against targeted groups is like a funnel. In the old days, this was done by hate groups themselves via print, the internet, social media, etc. These would put out a message that a few would pick up on and follow through with violent action, while the groups that prompted it could deny involvement.

That was then and this is now. The process has gone mainstream with major politicians and media outlets casting a wide net using code words  designed to fuel resentment, anger and, yes, hate from people already on edge...then shed crocodile tears or issue angry denials when the violence happens. 

Here's a good analysis of how the process works. Unfortunately, at this point not much progress has been made on how to reverse the process, while the drum beat of resentment keeps getting louder and what were once dog whistles have become sirens.

AFSC statement on Buffalo mass murder and racist violence

The American Friends Service Committee issued this statement today in the wake of the hate-driven mass killing in Buffalo:

This weekend, 10 people were killed and three were injured by a white supremacist at a grocery store in a majority Black neighborhood in Buffalo, New York. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the communities in Buffalo during this time. We are holding you in the Light.

These horrifying acts of racist violence compound the ongoing trauma caused by relentless anti-Blackness espoused not only by individuals like the man who carried out this attack, but also in all sectors of the country. We are holding in the Light our staff, volunteers, and community members who are particularly impacted by these attacks and the ideology behind them, and we deepen our commitments to work for a world without racism and violence.

The suspected shooter is an 18-year-old white man whose actions were motivated by his belief in “great replacement theory,” also referred to as “white replacement theory,” a deeply racist belief that is growing in popularity and is amplified by right-wing media and political leaders. This ideology not only incites violence in the present but is used to justify and even celebrate centuries of violence. It is also intensely anti-immigrant, antisemitic, anti-Muslim, and misogynistic. We stand in community and solidarity with those also named in the manifesto reported to have been written by the killer, which targeted Muslims, Jewish communities, trans people, and immigrants. 

AFSC is committed to eliminating white supremacy and violence wherever they are found. This means being honest and accountable to our history and our present. This means we must embrace a trauma informed approach to community care; believe and support victims and survivors; and above all, make every effort to prevent such violence by eradicating its very root.