Overcoming Disinformation And Indifference
Have you ever distrusted or felt indifferent to someone who you never met? Have you ever assumed "bad things" based on what you heard or read?
We often term those feelings as prejudice. It's actually disinformation.
This article (web site) will address what leaders can do to address matters of disinformation (indifference).
This website will use the below scenario:
An race removed (race removed) male was severely beaten in a race removed neighborhood. Automatically an "us against them" aura was felt.
This is where all the gossip (disinformation) begins.
This article (website) will not discuss how the beating occurred. This article will not discuss "who's at fault".
This article will discuss what the leaders can do to successfully address the unstable emotions and the disinformation.
How Leaders Can Successfully Address And Minimize Disinformation:
1) Realize that a "sense of Justice" must occur to calm emotions- It's human nature to "pull any strings" and "deny" any assertions. People will "protect their own" at any cost. The wiser approach is to admit that a tragedy has occurred. Please keep in mind that this is not admitting any guilt. The faster some form of "remorse" is shown by the perceived aggressive side, the sooner the "out cries" of the "victim's" side lessens. Once remorse is shown, the leaders or representatives can tactfully explain the situation from their point of view. Example: John (the race removed Male) got into a verbal dispute with Samuel which eventually led to physical altercations.
When leaders and families support the perceived aggressors, it causes great damage. This is some of the damage that it causes:
A) It's harder for a Judge to show leniency when no remorse has been shown. Our personal viewpoints don't matter in court. It's an excellent legal strategy to express remorse for the tragedy, then state your perception of the events, ask the Court for leniency based on certain circumstances.
The benefit of following the advice in "A" (above) is that your side will then be perceived as compassionate people undergoing an unfortunate situation. People have fist fights every day. There are often casualties.
It's the mistake to "protect your own at all cost" that gives great weight to disinformation and indifference.
2) Leaders can offer public events where other cultures are welcomed. Now I'm aware that some people do cause trouble. So security and/or police might be necessary. Yet all people are not "uncivil". These could be affordable events where all ethnic groups meet. Personally, I fully understand the "take care of our own" mentality. Yet, I also realize that mentality keeps everyone isolated and only strengthens disinformation.
3) Offer free web sites, radio/TV programs, paper information (such as tracts or flyers), etc which address your concerns and also shows your "neighborly/compassionate" side(s).
4) Most importantly realize how powerful disinformation is. I've been hated most of my life in areas where people don't personally know me. I've learned a long time ago to speak up for myself and show people who I really am.
I'm sure there are many other ways to lessen disinformation. Again, I fully understand the "us against them" mentality. We just have to find away to be "all of us" some times.
This article was written by Pastor Gary Colin and can be freely edited and/or utilized.
