Miscognition

Time for me to go topical. I have to talk about this one while it's burning in my brain, so it may be short and not as thoroughly researched as my others, but this is important none the less.




Some time in the wee hours between America's Tuesday and Wednesday there were attacks on two embassies. One in Egypt, the other in Libya. In the latter of these two attacks, one ambassador and three others were killed. Apparently it doesn't really matter who the other three were, just that they were killed along with the ambassador. They all died as a result of a violent attack.

During this same period between 30-45 Americans were killed. These people were not over seas. They were not in 'hostile territory'. They were right here at home. They all died as a result of a violent attack.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday an ambassador plus three were killed. Americans are outraged. Their blood boils and they are angry. They want retribution and retaliation in some cases. Others are apologizing and trying to deescalate the situation. The President issues a statement to the people. Other public and political figures do likewise.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday between 30 and 45 Americans were killed. Silence fills the void, save for possibly on the local level. No statements are issued. No one speaks up. The silence is filled instead by continuous commentary about 4 dying. Less than ten percent of the total makes up one hundred percent of the attention.

Cognitive dissonance is a term to describe discomfort felt while attempting to hold two or more different ideas, concepts, beliefs, feelings or values at the same time. In this state an individual may feel dread, guilt, surprise, anger or even embarrassment. We attempt to reduce this dissonance by emphasizing and/or deemphasizing one thought over another. An example of this being an individual who claims to be "pro-life" but at the same time promotes active warfare. Adults are 'fair game'. They have had their chance at life no matter the particular age of said adult. The explanation is called dissonance reduction.

 One thought: Americans at home are safe. A second thought: Americans exist in environments hostile to them but are safe. A third: Americans die every day through the violent actions of another human.

Why do we feel more outrage when the second thought is breached, but take the first in stride? Is it because we feel that there is more we can do to protect the second over the first? Is this how we reduce the dissonance?

Between Wednesday and Thursday 30-45 Americans were killed and still there is no outrage. No effort to reduce this number aside from the attempts of various local police to resolve the crime itself on an individual basis. National policy will not change. Mourning will only take place between friends and family.

Between Tuesday and Thursday 60-90 Americans were killed at home.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday 4 Americans were killed abroad.

Which one makes you more uncomfortable?

"It's frightening how easy it is to commit murder in America. Just a drink too much. I can see myself doing it." -W.H. Alden