The Toxicity of Bigotry in Political Discourse

 

“Is not this a free country?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have not I a right to swing my arm?”

“Yes, but your right to swing your arm leaves off 

where my right not to have my nose struck begins,”

John B. Finch

At the root of our political divide, many Americans weaponize words to control marginalized groups, stifling any possibility of constructive communication. Exploiting a "God given right" to free speech, these hate-filled falses narratives reap equally hostile reactions and sometimes tragic consequences.

Unfortunately, most if not all of us don't seem to realize that protecting human rights in any context is non-negotiable, not even up for "debate." The very essence of our country's democracy depends upon all Americans empowering those who've been stripped of their agency, liberty, and influence via oppression, subjugation, harassment, intimidation among other abusive, illegal, and unconstitutional means:

In today’s political climate, what’s defined as political views is unethically intertwined with our basic rights as humans. Topics concerning the LGBTQ+ community, Black Lives Matter, ICE Detention centers, systemic racism, abortion and police brutality have all become political playgrounds for people to harbor their ignorance.

“I believe that political views are often used to debate the validity of human rights. This is what tends to create a divide in human rights,” Amnesty International member senior Sarah Elobaid said.

... “There is a difference between [political views and human rights] because human rights should not be debatable whereas political views are. People can morally debate issues up until the point where it jeopardizes or marginalizes a group of people.” Elobaid said, Sumi Rao, "Human Rights v Political Views.