Sharon Kourous: Gaslighting has become national abuse
Gaslighting: to manipulate (someone) using psychological methods into questioning their own sanity or powers of reasoning. (Oxford English Dictionary)
Widespread gaslighting of the public uses a dangerous brand of false patriotism and is weaponized by some politicians who often assume a fake “just folks” persona even as they lead a lavish lifestyle. Ironically, they espouse “freedom” while seeking to control the behavior of everyone else through psychological manipulation.
Like the Taliban, they want to act like “morality police.” Many extreme conservative spokespersons gaslight through social media barrages and outlets like Fox News. They create a cult-like sense of belonging in their followers while threatening anyone who is different – has different values, different skin color, different sexual preferences – anyone who can be targeted as “other.”
As a society, we gaslighted our own history, diminishing the roles of Native Americans, Black slaves, immigrant workers from many lands. In times of war, we put our own Japanese citizens in concentration camps, ramping up fears among their neighbors. Targets were (and are) those least able to defend themselves even though they pose no threat: immigrants, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, Jews, Muslims, women, children...
One of the most egregious types of gaslighting is the typical response to rape or sexual harassment. When women speak publicly about sexual harassment or assault, they are demeaned and discounted, according to Claire Jack, Ph.D., in Psychology Today.
From Anita Hill to Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony about Brett Kavanaugh, to E. Jean Carroll, who just won a $5 million award after a jury found former President Trump liable for sexual abuse – there are other rape victims in every town and on every campus. Regardless, women’s experiences are gaslighted, discounted as feminine hysteria. “Locker room talk” treats women’s bodies as trophies to be claimed by the famous and powerful.
Those who oppose bodily autonomy use gaslighting techniques. They take decisions away from individuals, subvert medical science – and ignore the harm women suffer. The destruction of Roe v. Wade and the war on transgender people show how far these attitudes will go. Gaslighters are even working to sneak their anti-abortion propaganda into school curricula. Women’s decision-making powers are subverted by those claiming to “love” everyone while simultaneously undercutting women’s truths.
Writer Alison Stein points out in an article from last year an ironic way modern society gaslights women by setting aside one special day. Mothers’ Day is actually a subtle facade: a moment of respect and some flowers that will soon fade. America could better honor mothers by insisting on passage of the Equal Rights Amendment – once again recently given the boot in Congress. Equal wages, proper health care, much-needed parental leave – all year round – or flowers and a card once a year?
Spousal or partner abuse hides behind a false power/dependency relationship. The narcissistic dominant partner somehow sees himself as protector and decision-maker; and while doing so, gaslights the weaker dependents – usually a woman and their children. Until recently, law enforcement and courts failed to recognize marital rape and/or abuse – and today the ranks of America’s homeless include countless women and children escaping that destructive world.
The most repugnant gas-lighting currently is found in lies about Jan. 6, 2021, promulgated by most Republicans and their pet media outlets. Tucker Carlson, for example, used selected footage from that murderous riot to claim those defecating in our Capitol and attacking policemen were simple tourists taking selfies. Fox, by the way, finds itself in trouble as a result of an earlier gaslighting campaign by Trump minions. It has been demonstrated that Fox officials knew they were lying when they told voters the Dominion voting machines had been compromised. Gaslighting has wide-spread consequences; thousands still believe those falsehoods.
Gaslighting is emotional abuse and has evolved into nationwide abuse of the credulous. Rather than blocking information and distorting facts, news outlets, social media and powerful influencers can and should lead the way into an information age based on science, honesty and mutual respect.
Sharon Kourous is a retired teacher and member of Stronger Together Huddle, a group engaged in supporting and promoting the common good. She resides in Monroe and can be reached at mcneil102@icloud.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Sharon Kourous: Gaslighting has become national abuse
