Trump, the NYPD and the People We Call 'Animals'

http://www.counterpunch.org/2018/05/25/trump-the-nypd-and-the-people-we-call-animals/
Date Written:  2018-05-25
Publisher:  Counterpunch
Year Published:  2018
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX22643

A look at the reckless use and dissemination of de-humanizing pejorative language, notably by President Donald Trump and some police agencies in the United States, which has consequences for the public who interact with police and for society as a whole.

Abstract: 
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Excerpt:

Did you hear Trump call undocumented immigrants animals? It's stirring up - rightly - a lot of concern. Among humans, "animal" is the essential, go-to word to deprive people of their humanity. It's the permission some people give themselves to ridicule, enslave, and commit genocide against other people. "Animal" is a term we read as a danger signal, even in a society such as ours, which was built on ridicule, enslavement, and genocide. And "animal" is often used by law enforcement to describe anyone accused of assaulting a police officer. Interesting, how we've let this one go.