When we see a political leader seeking a quick and easy path to going viral and gaining attention by splitting people into an ‘us’ and a ‘them’ and then demonizing the ‘them’, we are watching that leader engage in a tactic that can often benefit that leader in the moment.
It does indeed bring attention, power, and praise from those who feel in that moment that they are in the ‘us’ category.
But it does long-term damage.
When we turn others into a means rather than treating them as an end (and using a group of people as a tool to go viral is a clear example of using people as a means), we take a step down the path of demonization and dehumanization. A constituent, regardless of how they voted, should be treated as an important and worthy member of the community, and should be able to count on the fact that their elected leaders, no matter what party those leaders represent, would show them dignity and respect.
When a leader chooses a different path, the path of demonization and ‘othering,’ and when such a leader repeats the process long enough in the pursuit of more and more attention, our broader society can be significantly damaged, since anger and rage often beget anger and rage.
True leadership should seek to bring out the best in others by first recognizing their common humanity and then doing the complex, long-term work of building common ground. That’s more difficult and less immediately rewarding than prioritizing the daily chase for clicks and attention, but it’s the best path towards building the best country possible for all Canadians.
Spencer Fernando
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