Root causes
I was surprised when listening to an interview with a psychologist the other day that she “discovered” through research that sexism, misogyny, homophobia and other forms of oppression and discrimination arises from fear. I was surprised because it seems obvious to me that oppression and discrimination – systematic or more individualized – have a very distinct purpose. Of course, it may also be true that the behavior becomes so normal and or codified that the person who practices the behavior is not conscious or thoughtful of the purpose. This is especially evident when oppressive or discriminatory behavior is justified or presented as religious dogma allegedly ordered or sanctioned by a God or gods. This does not mitigate the fact that the purpose of the behavior was to booster the feeling of self-worth of the person engaging in the behavior. There also may be behavior which arises out of the original justification which is now accepted by many in the position of authority and never questioned. Under prosecuting rape could be such a practice. Some may have “learned” or been told that rape of women is difficult to prove, not that important, and expensive to prosecute and, thus, should not be made a priority. I and many others would label this is serious sexist behavior. If, however, someone was systematically justifying or advocating rape or other forms of violence against females many would label that behavior as misogyny or even genocide. In both cases those in authority have learned to accept oppressive or discriminatory behavior as normal. It may be that some of us humans never question much of what we have learned because of the moral authority we have given an institution or representative of that institution or it may be that one is fearful of looking at the purpose or etiology of the behavior. In either case, if one wants to change the thinking and the behavior then one must make it safe to learn the etiology of the thinking and the behavior. Making it safe to explore the etiology requires that a person have enough self-esteem or self-worth to be with the potential discomfort of the results of the exploration. If, again, one uses the example of sexism, the clear etiology is to gain power so as to feel directly or indirectly superior; directly because a male may believe that he has to be more than, better than, or richer than in order to be worthwhile. Indirectly, the underlying fear is that it is not enough just to be human.
Us humans too often are fearful that we need to prove we are worthwhile by having more toys, a bigger house, a more expensive car, a more important title, or some other way to make us different than and, thus, better than. Of course, we have to know that eventually we all die and unless we are a pharaoh we cannot take it with us. We may hope to live on through our children or in the history books. Some will be written about for many years to come, but there is no guarantee it will be in a positive light. Chances are all will eventually know that we were merely human.
If we can correctly identify the cause of oppression and discrimination we will see the wisdom of loving our enemy; of treating frightened people with compassion. True there are those who will not be able to identify as fearful; those who will use arrogance, self-righteousness, intimidation, bullying, the law or God to avoid facing their own mirror; those whose fear is so deep that the walls will prevent them from receiving love. Some may need to be restrained but even the restraint must be with love; must be intended to face the wall with the most powerful weapon – love.
Emotional or spiritual fear may be the most prevalent and powerful emotion affecting how we relate to ourselves, each other and mother earth. Love is always the most powerful weapon against fear.
Written March 4, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.org
I was surprised when listening to an interview with a psychologist the other day that she “discovered” through research that sexism, misogyny, homophobia and other forms of oppression and discrimination arises from fear. I was surprised because it seems obvious to me that oppression and discrimination – systematic or more individualized – have a very distinct purpose. Of course, it may also be true that the behavior becomes so normal and or codified that the person who practices the behavior is not conscious or thoughtful of the purpose. This is especially evident when oppressive or discriminatory behavior is justified or presented as religious dogma allegedly ordered or sanctioned by a God or gods. This does not mitigate the fact that the purpose of the behavior was to booster the feeling of self-worth of the person engaging in the behavior. There also may be behavior which arises out of the original justification which is now accepted by many in the position of authority and never questioned. Under prosecuting rape could be such a practice. Some may have “learned” or been told that rape of women is difficult to prove, not that important, and expensive to prosecute and, thus, should not be made a priority. I and many others would label this is serious sexist behavior. If, however, someone was systematically justifying or advocating rape or other forms of violence against females many would label that behavior as misogyny or even genocide. In both cases those in authority have learned to accept oppressive or discriminatory behavior as normal. It may be that some of us humans never question much of what we have learned because of the moral authority we have given an institution or representative of that institution or it may be that one is fearful of looking at the purpose or etiology of the behavior. In either case, if one wants to change the thinking and the behavior then one must make it safe to learn the etiology of the thinking and the behavior. Making it safe to explore the etiology requires that a person have enough self-esteem or self-worth to be with the potential discomfort of the results of the exploration. If, again, one uses the example of sexism, the clear etiology is to gain power so as to feel directly or indirectly superior; directly because a male may believe that he has to be more than, better than, or richer than in order to be worthwhile. Indirectly, the underlying fear is that it is not enough just to be human.
Us humans too often are fearful that we need to prove we are worthwhile by having more toys, a bigger house, a more expensive car, a more important title, or some other way to make us different than and, thus, better than. Of course, we have to know that eventually we all die and unless we are a pharaoh we cannot take it with us. We may hope to live on through our children or in the history books. Some will be written about for many years to come, but there is no guarantee it will be in a positive light. Chances are all will eventually know that we were merely human.
If we can correctly identify the cause of oppression and discrimination we will see the wisdom of loving our enemy; of treating frightened people with compassion. True there are those who will not be able to identify as fearful; those who will use arrogance, self-righteousness, intimidation, bullying, the law or God to avoid facing their own mirror; those whose fear is so deep that the walls will prevent them from receiving love. Some may need to be restrained but even the restraint must be with love; must be intended to face the wall with the most powerful weapon – love.
Emotional or spiritual fear may be the most prevalent and powerful emotion affecting how we relate to ourselves, each other and mother earth. Love is always the most powerful weapon against fear.
Written March 4, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.org
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