Human beings have used their fists and other forms of weaponry to display dominance since the dawn of humanity.
Throughout history, the role has been carried out by the male species. Other than the mythical Amazon women or Athena, Goddess of War, we’ve seen few depictions of female warriors.
People such as Deborah of the Bible and St. Joan of Arc are a few real-life historical figures, but they often used their physicality to defend rather than dominate.
However, female assaults toward others shouldn’t be dismissed.
For example, Female Genital Mutilation has often been inflicted by women on women, and yes, it’s a physical assault.
Just ask the recipients such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali and several Egyptian women who’ve endured this atrocity.
Of late, young females have flexed their muscles, with increased pummeling on those deemed threatening or non-compliant.
For example, on the streets of Boston, attacks by middle school girls toward others have occurred.
Over the years, some have shared with me that ongoing verbal assaults affect them more than physical, like a chronic drip never abating. Over time, insults permeate the core, leaving a gaping, hidden wound that requires years of stitching to heal.
Whether it be by the spoken or written word, the emotional toll is often underestimated.
The rise of the internet has wrought an increase in verbal beatings. Facebook, and, especially, Twitter bring out the worse in people. They take their slingshots aiming deadly stones at anyone disagreeing, with consequences such as name-calling, slandering, canceling, and, worse.
Articles can do the same. The biased media marches to one tune, ignoring the truth. They convince you the sky isn’t blue, and the Pope isn’t Catholic. False. Those are incontrovertible facts. If one argues these facts, yes, they can make a case for the sky changing colors. On a cloudy day, it’s grey. Ok, but it doesn’t deviate from the fact that the dominant sky color is blue.
Nowadays, if you disagree with policies from the anointed ones, epithets are hurled. Isms, deniers, and phobics are just a few. Toward the protected groups, one wrong letter or look renders destructive labels, but no problem if you disparage those from groups out of favor.
This past year, a particular category of the American population, an unprotected group, became the scapegoat for the intelligentsia, including politicians, certain writers, and, some glitterati.
The enlightened ones now disparage a class of people adhering to a specific religion.
Knowingly or not, these know-it-alls follow the rule of a particular activist who dedicated his book to Lucifer. What did he suggest? Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. That’s what’s happening to the anti-Lucifers.
I don’t identify with the out-of-favor group’s religion, but my faith falls under its umbrella.
Also, I’ve been in the company of people belonging to this group, and as of late, joined their writing association.
What have I encountered? Let’s see, creativity, inspiration, love, and sharing. The only mention of God? Thanking him for their ingenuity.
Such stereotyping would earn an “ism” for other groups. Alas, this one is not a protected class, and those spewing venom at them are shielded from any repercussions.
Are there some who are not good?
Of course, like in any other segment of the human race, taking a group and sullying them, is an example of so-called tolerant intolerance. These stalwart adherents to the correct way claim openness and love while projecting animosity, narrow-mindedness, and ignorance cloaked in words of holier-than-thou. Yes, no holding back for them. Pow! Brass knuckles in full force with diversity of thought disavowed.
A United States congressional representative just abandoned her political affiliation.
One reason she gave was the onslaught against people of a certain faith. Standing up to the bully pulpit is no easy feat, even for a fearless warrior like her.
People are entitled to their opinions, but to categorize everyone as the same, a collectivist ideal, benefits no one.
It feeds the insatiable monster of divisiveness and hate.
I’d quote “he who casts the first stone,” but I doubt most of these people take his word. Instead, I’ll use the famous phrase: Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Words are powerful with the written one engraved forever. These verbal fists often cause irreversible harm.
Watch out brash individuals who don’t care. You never know what happens when you’re no longer the flavor of the month.
Hi Darlene!
Thank you for your excellent insight and wisdom. I enjoyed reading your article very much – you shine a light on the unfortunate degradation of ethical, moral behavior in our society. Too many people no longer have manners, nor do they behave with any dignity or restraint. It seems like it just happened overnight, although in hindsight it has probably been going on for a while, but is now reaching critical mass.
I am glad you did not name the activist who dedicated his book to Lucifer, because his “teachings” have had such a deleterious effect on our culture and political arena, he deserves not to be named.
You are so right – disparaging words can cause lasting damage, not only to a person’s psychic well-being, but often to reputations and livelihoods as well. You mentioned Tulsi Gabbard, who abandoned her political affiliation. I remember when HRC (that supposed staunch defender of all women) insinuated that Gabbard was being groomed to be a Russian asset. Of course it was totally untrue, and a deliberately sadistic thing to imply about someone who served her country as an Army Reserve officer. The sad thing is that there are probably people who heard that lie and still believe it, to the detriment of Gabbard’s reputation. That is just one example out of the multitude of malicious things that people say about those who do not agree with them. Of course, we have free speech in this country, and people can say what they will. But the ugliness and vicious playground tactics of our public discourse, and the freezing and targeting of unprotected groups, is alarming. It is painfully sad to witness society devolving in this way. You are so right to describe the destruction as an insatiable monster of divisiveness and hate.
Thank goodness for people like you and others who use your voices in a positive way to share the truth. I feel hopeful that we will soon emerge victorious from this divisive, dark period and learn something valuable from it. I am happy that you found a writing association (as you mentioned) in which you’ve encountered creativity, inspiration, love and sharing.
Kat
Hi Kat,
Thank you for your amazing and thoughtful commentary. Yes, yes, yes, to everything you’ve stated. I forgot about the false accusations hurled at the fearless Tulsi. She now points out the Emperor has no clothes, much, to say the least, to the chagrin of her those who prefer to pretend. I heard one of her colleagues, in her now defunct affiliation, gave her three thumbs up.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this. Dennis allows all points of view which is most appreciated.
With a smile and blessings,
Darlene
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for reading and providing such a thoughtful comment. First of all, I should’ve added a “but” taking a group and sullying them, but, speaking of, other than that mishap, I believe I got my message across.
As a therapist, I’ve heard much stereotyping about catholicism even when I left the religion for a short time. I could tell stories, but I won’t. Anyway, the new “ism” isn’t an ism in the eyes of those stoking the fires of divisiveness and discontent. They project it onto others, patting themselves on the back and stamping out those opposed to the latest fad for the greater good.
I encounter many people who believe very differently from me, and for the most part, we respect one another and just don’t go there. My problem is when disparaging and false narratives are circulated. When I see it boldly in print, I do my best to respond with diplomacy by penning my own articles. Am I always successful? No, but it simmers my passion so I don’t respond to the vitriol that’s promulgated in those abusive writings.
I’m pleased that those sentences resonated.
With a smile and blessings to you,
Darlene
Hello Darlene, once again scrolling through the articles of the this week, and yours caught my eye. As I read through the article, I couldn’t help but think how many hopefully will take time to read and respond. I for one have experienced and been the recipient of my beliefs and faith. Being Catholic these days is a battle, even though it has been since the beginning of time. Insults to why one should believe in the life of a human being itself. The baby in the womb, the elderly who have few years left, and those that are not like every one else. I am in the process of a book project that I am sure will raise eyebrows for some. In all that you wrote, the lines that resonate with me from your article:
One reason she gave was the onslaught against people of a certain faith. Standing up to the bully pulpit is no easy feat, even for a fearless warrior like her.
People are entitled to their opinions, but to categorize everyone as the same, a collectivist ideal, benefits no one.
It feeds the insatiable monster of divisiveness and hate.
I’d quote “he who casts the first stone,” but I doubt most of these people take his word. Instead, I’ll use the famous phrase: Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Words are powerful with the written one engraved forever. These verbal fists often cause irreversible harm.
Watch out brash individuals who don’t care. You never know what happens when you’re no longer the flavor of the month.
Have a blessed day and thank you!