Understanding Hate Prejudice Racism Discrimination Genocide Hate What

Understanding Hate: Prejudice Racism, Discrimination & Genocide

Hate… • * What causes hate? (other than the one word "sin") • * What would lead seemingly ordinary people to become so desensitized that they would condone or even participate in the mass execution of people? (Milosovic, Hitler, etc. ) • * Can you be sure that you, under any

The Psychology of Hate

The Psychology of Hate • A. J. Marsden, assistant professor of psychology and human services at Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida, one reason we hate is because we fear things that are different from us. • Related to In-group Out-group theory, • when we feel threatened by perceived outsiders, we instinctively turn toward our in-group—those with whom we identify—as a survival mechanism. • “Hatred is driven by two key emotions of love and aggression: One love for the in-group—the group that is favored; and two, aggression for the out-group—the group that has been deemed as being different, dangerous, and a threat to the in-group. ”

Psychology of Hate cont… • According to clinical psychologist Dana Harron, the things people hate about others are things that they fear within themselves; like a movie screen onto which we project unwanted parts of the self, e. g. , “I'm not terrible; you are. ” • Projection, (Freudian term) to describe our tendency to reject what we don’t like about ourselves. • A need to be good, which causes us to project "badness" outward and attack it: • "We developed this method to survive, for any 'badness' in us put us at risk for being rejected and alone. So we repressed the things that we thought were bad (what others told us or suggested to us that was unlovable and morally reprehensible) — and we employ hate and judgment towards others. • This method only perpetuates repression which leads to many mental health issues.

Psychology of Hate cont… • The antidote to hate is compassion — for others as well as ourselves. • Compassion means that we are willing to try to understand, empathize with and accept the whole person (whether our selves or others). • “If we find part of ourselves unacceptable, we tend to attack others in order to defend against the threat, ” says psychologist Brad Reedy. “If we are okay with ourselves, we see others’ behaviors as ‘about them’ and can respond with compassion. If I kept hate in my heart for [another], I would have to hate myself as well. It is only when we learn to hold ourselves with compassion that we may be able to demonstrate it toward others. ”

Psychology of Hate cont… • The answer to why we hate, according to Silvia Dutchevici, LCSW, president and founder of the Critical Therapy Center, lies not only in our psychological makeup or family history, but also in our cultural and political history. • “We live in a war culture that promotes violence, in which competition is a way of life, ” she says. “We fear connecting because it requires us to reveal something about ourselves. We are taught to hate the enemy — meaning anyone different than us — which leaves little room for vulnerability and an exploration of hate through empathic discourse and understanding…”

Psychology of Hate cont… • Though it is in our nature to have the capacity and even tendency to be selfish or fearful, Hatred is learned • We are all born with the capacity for aggression as well as compassion. Which tendencies we embrace requires mindful choice by individuals, families, communities and our culture in general. One of the keys to overcoming hate is education: at home, in schools, and in the community. Not just formal education, however, but a whole host of informal behaviour and character-forming influences: mentors, frequent conversations, empathy training, role models, arts, etc.

Genocides in recent history • Skim through this, if you dare: https: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Genocides_in_history • Teacher using wikipedia…?

Questions: • As our society becomes more diverse, does stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination and racism increase or decrease? • What forms of racism, discrimination and prejudice have occurred in world

Getting It Right: Defining Words • RACISM • DISCRIMINATION • PREJUDICE • STEREOTYPE • GENOCIDE • What’s the relationship between these terms?

Definitions Stereotypes: false or generalized beliefs about a group of people that result in categorizing members without regard for individual difference • Stereotypes involve generalizations about the "typical" characteristics of members of the groups. Marie is a female, so she probably has characteristics x, y, z, . . . . • Prejudice: A set of opinions, attitudes and feelings that unfairly case a group and its members in a negative light without legitimate reasons • attitude toward the members of some group based solely on their membership in that group (can be positive or negative) • Discrimination: Unfair actions directed against people based on their race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, language, faith or sexual orientation • actual positive or negative actions toward the objects

Definitions… • Racism: a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement • A form of discrimination; involving hatred and intolerance • Usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others. • Genocide: Deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group. • Most extreme form of systemic discrimination, by which attempts are made by authorities at mass murder

Other Important Definitions • Anti-Semitism: particular form of individual or systemic discrimination directed against Jews • Systemic Discrimination: describes a system that favours one or some groups over others in terms of hiring, benefits, promotions, and pay increases • Systemic Racism: Discrimination based on a sense of racial superiority is part of the philosophy and practices of a company, institution, or a whole society • Systemic Sexism: Discrimination based on a sense of male superiority is part of the philosophy and practices of a company, institution, or a whole society

Case Study 1 • Texan named Howard Griffin conducted an unusual experiment to experience prejudice in 1960 • Used dark pigment and tanning lamps to temporarily change his skin to a dark colour • Arranged with a African American magazine to publish a series of stories about his day to day encounters as a black man traveling across the southern US in search of work • Results: denied access to washrooms, restaurants, accommodations and jobs, and threatened with violence • Reaction: Griffin rushed to removed his skin colour = shows the deep affect of how people view themselves • Published his journal “Black Like Me” – helped rally white support behind the

Case Study 2 • 2001, Moncton NB • 18 year old male arrested after a metre high cross found burning on the front lawn of a black family • Where does freedom of expression and speech end and freedom from discrimination begin? • Potential charges: • property mischief • Vandalism • hate crime

Kenneth E. Boulding • In 1956, he published The Image: Knowledge in Life and Society • The book outlined a view of perception where he stated we are shaped and changed by the personal background and experiences of individuals. • He used “the image” to describe how people do not perceive things exactly as they exist in the real world • He believed instead they responded to an image of reality and this image differs from person to person • How can his views be related to the subject of stereotyping, prejudice and

The Paradigm • In 1989, American Psychologist Joel Barker worked on the concept of paradigm • This was what he called the set of rules and conditions stored in the brain that a person uses to interpret and understand sensory experience • A paradigm acts like a filter through which information is processed • Eg. The approach of a stranger can be seen by one person as a possible threat, while someone else may see it as just another Like James Sire’s The Universe Next Door… Worldview study explaining the under-appreciated passerby – Why is the case? difference between the ways in which each person perceives the world

So, think about it: • Is prejudice learned or is it innate? • What causes hate? • Can prejudice become unlearned? How? • For Further Consideration: • Check out the following relevant and educational films: • American History X, • Invictus, • Hotel Rwanda, • Schindler’s List