Thursday, June 19, 2025
PMT: Political Violence
At some point, we will have to accept a basic fact: That words and images matter.
Over the years, those who have made money off their speech have told us that violent and misogynistic music does not make anyone violent or misogynistic, that TV shows or video games full of guns and violence don't make anyone more prone to violence, and that political takes, no matter how awful and vile, don't really drive anyone to violence.
It's all hogwash. Of course people are affected by what they see and read. No, not everyone who plays violent video games becomes a murderer-- but it doesn't take many to wreck lives.
Does anyone really believe that rhetoric doesn't matter?
After all, Christians believe that talking about Jesus and giving out Bibles will create more Christians (and historically, they have been right). Politicians believe that waves of ads will make people vote one way or another (and they are correct about that). People on dating apps think the right photo or description will bring them love (and sometimes they are right). In all sorts of ways, we recognize the link between words and images and the actions of those who view those words and actions.
So, if you are saying that someone is "like Hitler," stop. If you are describing pro-choice people as "murderers," stop. If you can't talk about politics without describing someone as "evil," stop.
We can and should disagree about policies and who should be in office. But when we go further and describe people in negative terms that really do demand action (because evil should be addressed), we are the problem.
