One cultural condition which feels as if it continues to escalate without being called out for its intense damage and oppression is ridicule. It certainly has exhibited itself in the current political context quite strongly, but, I continue to observe its presence like an infection, seeping into every social context, becoming a type of normative condition. When did ridicule and mockery become okay or become normalized? Ridicule is a master of deception. It masquerades as just "fun." Or "light-hearted." Yet, like an infection, it spreads, it deepens, and the more it is accepted as "fun," or not really serious, the more it is entrenched into the very DNA of human experience and social exchange. People begin to bond with one another through the rhetoric of ridicule. Yet, perhaps without realizing it, they have exchanged more productive and deeper exchanges with a false social bond, a mirage of meaning constructed through the game of ridicule. A culture of ridicule crumbles in the face of human realities - real trauma, real despair, real problems, real issues. It also disrupts any efforts at unity. Ridicule is a destabilizing, destructive force, obliterating any notion of trust or respect.
Real critique is valid - constructive, pointed critique with keen sensitivity is valid. But, it seems that it can become easy to substitute that constructive critique for ridicule. There is a spirit of ridicule and mockery which can easily sweep us up into its pretentions, if we are not paying attention. I have been surprised that although bullying has been overwhelming decried in schools and has had a heightened focus, the examples of bullying or ridicule that are displayed in the adult world are not called out in the same way. Human relationships will never strengthen or heal in a culture that supports and practices normalizing ridicule.
An article I found useful which is relevant to this notion of ridicule and describes a similar destructive force, contempt, may be found here:
