XENOPHOBIA

ABC Wednesday & more prompts below
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POLLY TICKS

We naturally fear that which is different, yet this is only fear of a
mystery. However, elements of society and knowledge have evolved
to intensify this natural problem. Since the beginning of known history
we have understood opposites. In the east we have concepts such
as yin and yang.

These are opposing forces of
creation and destruction.

They don’t cause too much of a problem because they are united in
balance. However, in the west this changed. They formed into ideas
of good and evil, in definite opposition to one another, causing people
to take sides. The theorist, Foucault, examined this process in terms
of sexuality, crime and insanity, concluding that power resides in
those who can define what is normal and what is abnormal – in other
words, what is good and evil. It became the greatest political fix ever
as it creates inner and outer demons from whom you must be
protected, and group together to persecute. The fear of a mystery
had become fundamental. Racism, homophobia and myriad other types
of pogroms find their roots here – in a form of intellectual bigotry.
Alongside this form is social bigotry, caused mainly through lack of
education regarding ‘differentness’. In normal times this is not too
much of a problem, but during times of adversity or poverty, the
bigotries can increase. Intellectual bigotry then feeds their fear,
creating the idea of a scapegoat, thus demonizing the object of the
fear, which then becomes hate. A form of psychological distancing
then occurs, defining the scapegoat as less human than you are. This
makes it easier to persecute them – human morality is taken out of
the equation. Finally, a form of transference occurs, with all your
failings being placed squarely on the scapegoat. Bloodbaths and
genocide can then be the result. Society has been infected, not by
evil, but a virus.

Eye On the World
Essays on everything from science
to religion, politics to crime

WORLD NEWS: I recently came
across the word, Netizen. Not sure I
like it but I guess I must be one. I’ve pointed
out before that the net is good as it allows us to live
in both a local and global community. The two, in balance, can
enrich each other, teaching us about other cultures. So I guess I can
live being known as a Netizen.

BRIT NEWS: So the slashing of university funding is to begin. This was
inevitable as the idea of 50% of school leavers going to a degree
was a product of perceived affluence. Traditionally the UK
sent 10% to do arts, sciences, humanities and the
professions. This is all a modern society
requires.

RATTLER’S TALE

A Voyage of the Imagination

One Single Impression
ReadWritePoem – Friday Flash 55
Three Word Wednesday

YEARLY WINGS

Another takes wings and flies away,
Happy New Year I want to say,
Now it’s part of history,
A chronicle of man’s destiny;
The new flies down and takes us up,
Experiences aplenty we hope to sup,
Trials and joys will come our way,
Yes …
Happy New Year, I want to say

GRANDDAD CALLING

Fiction: They never expected Granddad to visit but it was always good
to see him. The grandchildren crowded around him, wanting to play,
but he seemed a bit distant. His son was soon worried and asked if he
was alright. ‘Of course I am,’ said Granddad, but he sat down, tired,
and began to talk about his family’s future, his hopes for them. This
worried the son even more and decided his father should lie down and
rest. He saw him into the bedroom and turned off the light. The phone
rang then. As he listened a tear fell, and afterwards he rushed into
the empty bedroom. His father had made one last visit.

THE ROOM

Trapped in a room, full of sin,
There’s always hope – good looks in,
Always a battle between dark and light,
Raising the means so it can fight,
Redemption creeping into sight,
Turning round ghastly blight …
But it really is no good at all,
Unless we want it – stop the fall

FLASH 55 – WATCH ME

Fiction: She wanders through her home aimlessly. The cameras
constantly follow her – in every room, from every angle. She used to
be a reality star, but no more. Maybe the viewers grew up – or she
grew old. Outside, the screen stands by the road, above it the
flashing neon sign saying: Watch me. Please watch me.

IT’S A LIFE

The thing about life, I tell you true,
Is it goes just a little ahead of you,
Events are forming all the time,
Ready to ambush you in your prime,
Often it leaves a hideous mess,
Fate is such a meddlesome pest,
At other times the outcome is quite divine,
Hopefully some of this luck is mine

© Anthony North, December 2009

Try my Pictures of Life, a novel

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