The Four D’s Prior to Destruction - Michael Gorman

1. Delimitation: find a group of people, a corporate “other,” to blame for social, economic, and additional problems (such as crime)

2. Description: portray this group at first with half-truths and hyperbole, and then with out-and-out lies that demonize them

3. Dehumanization: take the next step and call this group of people non-human, or sub-human, or part-human—they are more like animals or things—and take away their basic human rights

4. Desecration: inflict emotional and then physical damage on these sacred persons (made in the image of God) who have been dehumanized

5. Destruction

At the moment, thank God, the U.S. is not at #5, but certain people and so-called leaders are deeply entrenched in #1-3, and some have already participated in aspects of #4. Let the rest of us resolve to oppose and reverse the path before we go any further in the wrong direction. (And even if we cannot imagine #5 or never get there, #1-4 must still be overcome.)