Let's look at demographics for a moment. We each belong to a particular demographic - well, numerous demographics actually. These demographics add to the uniqueness of the individual, but also helps us to identify with others like us in those ways. There is nothing we should be ashamed of about these unique traits, most especially if it is a feature we have no control over.
Anyone who has been paying attention can't help but notice that "news" entities and social media (including individuals who subscribe to social media) are ramping up their campaign to categorize us into our respective demographics - and cause divisions... to generate enmity between those who are different from one another. A quick glance at an online news page, a periodical such as a printed newspaper or magazine, television stations and even Facebook or Twitter can give you an indication of what's going on. A high percentage of headlines feel it necessary to include demographic qualifiers such as race, gender, age, religion, ethnic/national origin, political affiliation, disability or health status, sexual orientation, economic status, education level, and so forth.
Why is this so? There are several reasons I can immediately think of. One reason is that it's a hot button that gets ratings. It causes anger and stirs the pot, drawing viewers, and thus generates revenue. This is sickening to think about because media moguls are raking in billions of dollars by causing contention and divisiveness. They don't really care about the long-term results of their irresponsible (and often untruthful) reporting - but what's most important to them is the bottom dollar. Contention is one of the commodities that sells and it just keeps selling. It's a cash cow for those who are sleazy enough to partake.
Another reason is due to a secondary effect. We all have strong emotions about our own demographic(s) and we want to either be recognized for something unique or we just want to be left alone... protected from persecution and discrimination. When the pot stirrers (usually media or at least fueled by mass media) bring up unsavory headlines that paint a broad stroke about a particular demographic, individuals tend to get on the defensive. Many of us want to band together in our respective demographic groups or at least speak out as individuals against those who have abused the First Amendment, weaponizing their right to free speech and press and going so far as assembling to suppress others' rights - even under the name of religion (or pseudo religious beliefs - or lack thereof) as a means to contend with, and ultimately gain dominance over different demographics.
Yet another reason (and this is probably what scares most of us), is that such divisiveness is fueled by and funded by dark political, social or religious entities. Hiding in the shadows or appearing as valorous icons, they employ angry mobs and the press to do their dirty work - using smear campaigns of their adversaries, while making their cause appear to be compassionate, altruistic and for the general betterment of society. Nothing could be further from the truth though, because when we are engaged in divisiveness, there can be no unity. It is the mentality of an evil despot that: "there can be no civility until our campaign is victorious."
It's really difficult to remain unspotted from this sin because it is so pervasive. When you are navigating a stream of raw sewage, it's hard not to get splashed by it occasionally. Personally, I have tried to step away from the onslaught, and at least have diligently tried refrain from being an instigator or instrument in propagating divisiveness, but it's tough. I'm doing my best to love and reach out with genuine compassion to my brothers and sisters on this planet and I would like to extend that challenge to each and every one of my friends who has taken the time to read this. We are not perfect people and we falter every once in awhile, but if we are moving in the right direction and we pick ourselves up and rectify our faults when we fall, that is the best we can do. My challenge is to not engage in or even patronize media that includes divisive headlines or content. Just keep scrolling past or don't buy their periodicals or watch their shows. Hopefully, by our efforts to not participate, we can clean up our media and work towards becoming more united. That is my hope anyway.
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