Recently I asked a number of my smart friends to pick a letter that is the first letter of the worst word they could think of that incites an extreme reaction. I received lots of answers: “Q” – queer, “K” kike, – “N” nigger, – “G” god, – “R” republican, – “D” – democrat, – “H”- hate, and many other trigger words with serious reactionary possibilities. After thinking about it I have decided that every word that was given to me implies a FEAR on the part of those who use such terms to define something or someone they know little or nothing about.
FEAR is defined by Merriam-Webster as an unpleasant, often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. Most pejorative nouns are used when the user is FEARful of a person or group that they, for whatever reason, have been given information about, truthful or false information that has instilled FEAR in them. To me it implies cowardice, ignorance and outright stupidity. It implies the belief in a stereotype brandished by name calling and/or hate speech.
I am working on a future Blog about a woman named Beatrice (Bea) Johnson who was a fairly famous radio personality in the 1950’s and 1960’s – broadcasting from Kansas City, Missouri. She was well educated, very savvy and well revered with her audiences for her insightful conversations over the air waves about many topics. She relates a story about the time she took a group of women journalists to Geneva, Switzerland for a worldwide broadcasters conference and she was seated next to a journalist from Russia. She says that she was quite afraid of the gentleman because of what she knew about the relations between Russia and the United States at the time. She says that later he revealed that he was afraid of her as well! They struck up a friendship though that lasted a lifetime. Because of her encounter with him it was possible for her to take another group of women to visit Moscow and meet with Russian journalists and tour the city. They overcame their FEAR of each other by getting to know one another and persevere in their friendship.
Another Journalist, Bob Woodward has recently written a book about the administration of now President, Donald Trump. The title of the book is “FEAR”. Professor Woodward only uses the word “FEAR” twice in the text of his book as he quotes President Trump –“Real Power is fear“. Think about that – he told you who would be coming over our borders into this country, told you who they were and it perhaps made you FEARful not only of these immigrants but others not like yourself. There are hundreds of other examples such as this but this one is vivid, long-lasting and believed by too many people.
Many religions instill FEARfulness on their followers – the FEAR of God for not following the teachings and rules of their religious beliefs. The FEAR of going to hell for the same reasons. Rulers of nations instill FEAR into their minions by threatening destruction or death for not following the tenents of society as a whole. Threat of consequences for not being obedient. FEAR then makes them dependent on the rules.
With the pandemic, Covid-19 ravaging the world, there are those that do not believe the expert scientists who affirm that Covid-19 is far more deadly than any currently known disease. Many stand by their faith in that the pandemic is all in God’s plan and if it is your time to die, you will anyway. People are also FEARful of science because it is hard. It is hard to understand and is intimidating because of it. So, as is the case of President Trump, he disputes it. He said in a press conference with climate change scientific professionals, “I don’t believe the scientists” obviously because he does not understand it and he is out of his knowledge zone.
FEAR, if it rages within you, it can be debilitating. Rational thoughts are often sequestered within yourself and can stop you cold. Often those who may be around you and do not understand your FEAR, call you a “fraidy cat” or other contemptuous names, are merely revealing their lack of understanding. I recently had a Missouri State Representative call me names because I wear a mask during this time of the pandemic. His ignorance becomes quite clear.
To quote Aristotle – “He who has overcome his FEARs will truly be free” I would like to say, we, who overcome our FEARs will truly be free.
And one of the very best authors of history, John Meacham says, “We are better with hope than we are with FEAR.” I will leave you to your own discussions.