Sadly, my initial thoughts on the connection between speech that demonizes others and potential violence is that we as a society have become way too desensitized to harsh language on TV and in the media. I posed the question to Rachel on Monday night, which came first? Are we desensitized by harsh speech in our communities first which then translates to the media or is it the other way around? Do we see and experience the harsh language in the media first and bring it into our lives? I wish there was a magic light switch we could use to turn off dehumanizing speech.
It was mentioned that building relationships is one way to ensure that arguments against dehumanizing speech could be heard with less defensiveness. I yearn for a time when we are all genuinely in relationship with every human we encounter.