Group Mentality
Having had an interesting conversation with a young lady earlier about terminology and the importance of perceptions of groups and mentality. Here are some conclusions about this matter. It is becoming increasingly popular when discussing specific stigmatized minorities to note the terms of perceived group-mentalities as the face of the group and to lose sight of the fact that this group is comprised of individuals. The method of language in regards to popular group terminology lends itself to a less HUMAN perception of the groups discussed. By groups I am regarding the stigmatized minority groups in general. It is the generalizing that is used to dehumanize these groups. To take the humanity away is a clinical approach that is flawed. These approaches may be used by those engaged in clinical research to distance themselves from their subject but never in social terms. The fact that we reside in social constructs is a fact that is nothing more than an extension of our humanity. We are a social species. To begin to define and to categorize with dehumanized terminologies is to encourage the loss of the humanity that is the essence of the group itself. To do this renders any complete understanding of the group a futile effort. This is something that is used and has been used in the past. Not only the Holocaust but also such tragedies as Uganda and Bosnia. It is not important that we cannot undo as it is to try and serve as guides in terms of correct social thinking.
