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We live in a world where wealth equals power, and unfortunately, this often means that those who are less fortunate are treated as if they are somehow less human. This dehumanization is a tool that is used by the wealthy and entitled to justify their mistreatment of people. Most of these people happen to be poor and it’s a problem that needs to be addressed.
When we talk about dehumanization we’re not just talking about denying someone their basic human rights or treating them poorly. We’re talking about a systematic process that strips people of their humanity and their dignity making it easier for those in power to exploit them for their own gain. We have all seen that self important person cut to the front of the line. The mechanism they use to do so is dehumanization.
This process is often subtle but it can be incredibly effective. Everyone has seen entitled people treat what they consider a lower class of people poorly. This could be talking to them harshly, cutting them in line, or taking advantage of them in some way to benefit themselves.
One of the ways that society dehumanizes the poor is through language. We use words like “welfare queen” and “lazy” to describe those who are struggling to make ends meet. These words paint a picture of a person who is undeserving of help or sympathy. We create a narrative that suggests that these people are somehow different from us and that they are somehow less worthy of our compassion and understanding. Some people look down at others as a lower class of people that are somehow subhuman and use inappropriate language to describe them.
This kind of language is not just hurtful it’s also dangerous. It allows the entitled and those in power to justify policies and actions that harm others. They have convinced themselves that the poor are somehow different from them and not entitled to the same rights and privileges. An example of this is passing laws that are unconstitutional but affect poverty stricken neighborhoods, like Stop and Frisk Laws.
Another way that society dehumanizes the poor is by creating stereotypes that perpetuate harmful beliefs. We see this in the media where poor people are often portrayed as criminals or drug addicts perpetuating the idea that poverty is a moral failing rather than a systemic problem. Society and policies do not try to fix the underlying issues like the easy import and sale of illegal substances into the community.
This kind of stereotyping has real-world consequences. It can lead to policies that criminalize poverty such as laws that make it illegal to sleep in public or beg for money. These laws not only punish people for being poor they also make it even harder for them to improve their situation. Having private prisons that by contract need to be filled doesn’t help the problem. It lets policies create an excess of ‘customers’ to private prisons by Federal, State, and Local governments. Pushing people out of society’s view also hides the wrongdoing our politicians are involved in. Vote poor policy makers out!
Dehumanization also manifests itself in the way that we treat the poor on a daily basis. We often ignore or avoid them while treating them as if they are somehow invisible. We cross the street to avoid them or we look the other way when we see them asking for help.
This kind of behavior is not only cruel it’s also counterproductive. It reinforces the idea that the poor are somehow different from us and it makes it even harder for them to break out of the cycle of poverty.
So why do we do this? Why do we dehumanize the poor in this way? Part of it is a desire to protect ourselves from the harsh reality of poverty. We tell ourselves that poverty is the result of bad choices or laziness because it allows us to believe that we are immune to the same fate.
he reality is that poverty is often the result of systemic issues that are beyond an individual’s control. It’s the result of a lack of access to education, healthcare, and other basic necessities that are often taken for granted by those of us who are more fortunate. It is a failing of society in our schools and communities.
We need to recognize that the poor are not somehow different from us. They are human beings with the same hopes and dreams as the rest of us. They deserve the same rights and opportunities as everyone else and it’s up to us to make sure that they receive them.
Dehumanization is a tool that is used by those in power to justify their mistreatment of the poor. It’s a problem that is often subtle, but incredibly damaging. We need to recognize the ways in which we dehumanize the poor and work to change our attitudes and behaviors.
We need to start by challenging our political officials. We need to challenge law enforcement. We need to challenge members of society that allow illicit drug trade, human trafficking, and mental health help. Instead focus on the systemic issues that contribute to poverty.
We also need to actively work to break down the barriers that separate us from the poor. This means volunteering at homeless shelters or food banks, engaging in conversations with those who are struggling, and actively advocating for policies that will improve the lives of the poor. We need to start writing to our Congress and Senate. Call your Mayor. Vote out politicians that aren’t helping society.
It’s not enough to simply feel sympathy for the poor. We need to take action to address the root causes of poverty and ensure that everyone has the same opportunities to succeed. This means advocating for policies like affordable housing, access to healthcare, and better education. Advocate for harsh sentences for drug trade, better rehab, and better policies.
We also need to recognize that poverty is not a moral failing. It’s a result of systemic issues that have been perpetuated by policies and attitudes that have gone unchecked for too long. We need to work together to dismantle these systems and build a society that values the dignity and worth of all people. Some people will just not work but it doesn’t help our society when fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamines are easy to smuggle into the country or be made cheaply.
Dehumanization is a tool that is used by those in power to justify their mistreatment of the poor or even to profiteer from them. It’s a problem that is subtle but incredibly damaging. For some it is highly profitable. We need to challenge the language and stereotypes that are used to describe the poor, actively work to break down the barriers that separate us from them, and advocate for policies that will improve their lives.
We need to recognize that poverty is not a moral failing but rather a result of systemic issues that need to be addressed. It is apathy by voters and members of our society around us. Get active in your community. Get in the habit of voting. By doing so, we can create a society that values the dignity and worth of all people, regardless of their economic status.
