Unmasking Global Dehumanization: A Journey Towards a Breaking Point

In the realm of psychology, the concept of dehumanization has long captured attention. Defined as the "psychological process of demonizing a group of people," it casts them as less than human, justifying inhumane treatment. This notion, intertwined with infra-humanization, delegitimization, moral exclusion, and objectification, has fuelled a dark history of violence, war crimes, and genocides.

The insidious journey of dehumanization often commences with language. Rewind to history's chapters, and you will find Native Americans labelled as "merciless Indian savages," slaves deemed subhuman animals, and Jews depicted as disease-carrying rodents during the Holocaust. This degrading narrative continued, with Tutsis branded as cockroaches and Bosnians as aliens

.Today's echoes reverberate in political rhetoric, where Palestinians are termed "cancer", "vermin," or “mamzer” (Bastard in Yiddish), intensifying an already volatile landscape. Dehumanization, entangled with power dynamics and social connections, breeds exclusion, violence, and the endorsement of violence against marginalized groups.

?In the digital era, social media has become a breeding ground for dehumanizing narratives. Twitter and Facebook offer a swift avenue to push dissenting voices into moral oblivion, shielded by anonymity and devoid of accountability.

When leaders of major powers label immigrants as "animals" or boast about assaulting women, it should send shivers down our spines. Such language seeks to strip individuals of their humanity, paving the way for systemic injustices and violations of human rights.

As vigilant citizens, we cannot turn a blind eye to dehumanization. It has historically justified atrocities, from war to genocide. Holding perpetrators accountable is paramount in halting this descent into moral decay.

We must resist complacency, for dehumanization knows no bounds. It is incumbent upon us all to recognize and confront it before it corrodes our moral fabric beyond repair.