On Jan. 6, 2021, an angry mob of Donald Trump supporters swarmed a CBC News crew working near Capitol Hill. Nearly four years later, reporter Katie Nicholson tracked down one of the people who surrounded her that day to find out what she’s thinking heading into another volatile U.S. presidential election.
Was worth the watch for the emotional contortions the supporter twists herself into when confronted by one of the people she threatened, her Democrat-voting husband dealing with it all, and that messed up Trump paraphernalia store.
It is important that we understand these people, who are our family and neighbours. This isn’t a person who is seeking a “platform”. Labeling them “jerkoff whackjobs” is emotionally gratifying, but it doesn’t give you useful insight. Indeed, it’s a way of turning off your brain and not thinking deeply about it. It’s a defense mechanism against things that are disturbing and difficult to understand and process.
These people are beyond help, beyond seeing the light and becoming normal humans again.
They look out at the world, the mass of other humans, and they say “You aren’t human because I haven’t given you that right.” I’m ready for the rest of the world to collectively say “No, you.” to these dumbfucks.
I don’t need more insight into who they are, they’ve told us. There’s no more need for further understanding. They’d burn it all down to be in charge of the ashes and people like you want to talk it out with them.
The time is coming to remove the science deniers from positions of power if the rest of us want to SURVIVE. Let alone enjoy our time here.
Personally, I don’t care what happens to them. They’re evil and evil should be wiped from the world.
I “understand” that they are opting out of almost ALL of the clauses in our shared social contract.
Do they understand the effects of this opt out? How the paradox of tolerance resolves for people who’ve literally had enough and see the opt out for what it is?
Because, for lots of us, once you’re out like that, you’re really out.
I’m not actually interested in understanding these people so much as I am interested in getting them treatment. “Whackadoo” stops all critical thought, but I’d only be the last person in the room to do so, and I don’t need the futile stress of any other course of action.
In all fairness I choose not to ‘understand’ televangelists, people who lose their house on slots or the home shopping network, anyone in a cult, anyone waving a sign on a street corner, or fascists. They just need correction, from one programme or another.
It’s also important to remember that doubling down on your beliefs in the face of criticism is also just a defense mechanism. We’ll never change minds by being aggressive. I’m not saying there’s never a place for attacking, but empathy in one on one scenarios is what’s really needed to begin to have people change their opinions at all.