In 1944 Ingrid Bergman starred in a movie called Gas Light. Most of us saw it decades later. Chills ran up our spines but the woman rescues herself. Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse in which a person or group causes someone to question their memories, perception of reality or even sanity. This is an insidious manipulation of power . Its victims are deliberately and systematically fed false information.
Shockingly enough many state Institutions here, and even in the far corners of the world are gaslighting their citizens. Political parties are a prime example as are narcissistic leaders. Adolf Hitler convinced a large swath of German society to believe the Jews were an inferior and dangerous race. He held them in the sway of his rhetoric polarizing belief and murdering millions. Donald Trump has been gaslighting the Democrats for decades. The assault on the US Capitol building was mounted by people who were led to believe that their elected government did not have their well being at heart.
The gender drama in Canada’s educational system particularly the elementary schools has enraged parents who accuse teachers of gaslighting the students. “LEAVE OUR KIDS ALONE” are the placards they carry. They believe that sex education needs to be dissembled by parents and not the dictates of the non-binary agenda cobbled together by educationalists.
When the heat was turned up by Muslim parents the Canadian Prime Minister suggested all this was imported from the US right wing groups. The best sex education of school children was zealously guarded by teachers. The non binary structure of sexuality was a good subject for an 8 year old to grapple with in the classroom. The parent had to lump it. The response of one group of parents was they would create Muslim schools which adhered to Muslim values. So in the first world order of North America with its progressive values, the dangerous concept of the ‘Madrassa’ antiquated religion based schools has crept in. Both sides, gaslighting freely.
Colonial history of early settlers has brought to light how Indigenous children were seen as savage little creatures whose language, dress and physical appearance was an abomination. This scandalous gas lighting foray chose Nuns and Priests as victims by choosing them to educate in Residential schools. The teachers committed excesses of heinous proportions to savage the children and even physically killing them. They believed they were civilizing the children and not being manipulated by political forces in the country. Truth and Reconciliation efforts may well head to the next century. As a parent I know that if your child is harmed you will not forgive. Apologies be damned.
Public granting for the Arts in Canada has an added page. Boxes must be ticked and taken seriously. All applicants in this nation must fall into racial categories. As we have celebrated our long awaited age of Diversity an insidious technique of gas lighting tip toes in as well. A diversity cannon is that all ethnic groups have been disenfranchised in Canada in one way or another. The White Anglo Saxon Protestant or WASP is responsible for this but some in power who are not WASP are equally guilty. The loudest voices are heard in the enclaves of Dramatic Arts like stages of Theatres, Film and now even Literature. Theatre Directors, Film Producers, Editors at Publishing Houses are now convinced that injustice has occurred and they will even step outside the boundaries of talent or even that silly outmoded notion called excellence and become inclusive. It doesn’t matter what and when Shakespeare wrote casting a Black Duke or Queen is de rigueur for ticking off granting boxes of Federal and Provincial applications and garnering awards. What is better than all this is we have suddenly become superior human beings. All of Canada has now been effectively gas lit! From bad to good in one fell swoop.
Another case of mystifying gas lighting has occurred within Burmese society. The Buddhist Priests hailed for their passive gentleness and peaceful approach to life transformed into the sole murderers of the Rohingya Muslims who have fled and settled as refugees in Bangladesh. Although this was a mass exodus of a million people, yet the citizenry at large in Myanmar (Burma) believe this was freedom of choice. The media and the State wielded a diabolical disinformation campaign. Even the UN with its sparse Aid parcels and indifference has been manipulated.
Social media in our digital world responsible for so many thrills and advances is also a brilliant tool for altering reality and perceptions with the use of one image which as it is said can go viral. The scope is the entire world so why would a good and polite nation like Canada be spared? The new signboard should read BE AWARE not BEWARE.
Once again Nazneen you have written a very interesting article. Some might find it debatable but I am positive they will all agree that it is very well written. As for the social media I feel that it does influence people's thought process. It is up to individuals to decide what they want to do with the information they get.