General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I thought this was interesting about stereotypes. [View all]pipi_k
(21,020 posts)I agree with you.
It's quite likely...probable...that fear is at the base of it.
Which brings up a whole other issue, for me, at least...
If fear is at the base of it, then that means they are not bad, evil people. Fear is a powerful thing.
I know because my life is ruled by fear via panic and anxiety disorders.
If people want to call others whose attitudes in politics are ruled by fear, "bad" or "evil" or "stupid", then they're also calling me, and millions like me with fear based mental illnesses, the same thing.
Even the word "Homophobia" used as an accusation implies that any phobia is cause for disgust toward the person feeling it.
That attitude is not helpful.
If one wants to help somebody with a phobia, one doesn't sneer and point accusing fingers or accuse the sufferer of being a bad person. One tries to help the person see that what he's afraid of isn't going to hurt him.
But I think that's probably not really the goal for some who label others. I think people who label others really only want to make themselves believe they're better than the people they label.
"Look at MEEEEE!!!! I'm so Liberal!!! I'm better than YOUUUU are!!!"
that's bullshit.