From USA Today:
“If someone
you care about has been radicalized, here's what to know”
The violence
America witnessed at the Capitol was more than unleashed rage. Terrorism
experts say it was the culmination of years of radicalization. "A lot of
people at the Capitol protest I would describe as radicalized," said Mary
Beth Altier a professor at NYU's Center for Global Affairs and an expert in
political violence. "I'm worried about the next two to three weeks, and
then after the election about the potential for escalation." mWednesday's
insurrection left much of the nation stunned. But many friends and family of
the rioters felt something else, too: grief, powerlessness, humiliation. The
daughter of a Virginia man who was arrested said she was "ashamed and
disgusted" by her father's actions. The sister of Rosanne Boyland, who was
killed in the riot, said her family begged her not to go. "It can be
heartbreaking for families to realize that they have lost family members to
this way of thinking," said John Horgan, a psychology professor at Georgia
State University and director of the Violent Extremism Research Group. USA
TODAY spoke with Altier and Horgan about what radicalization is, how
de-radicalization works and where there is room for loved ones to help.
What is
radicalization Radicalization is when someone accepts or believes in ideas
that are considered extreme or outside the status quo, Altier said. When
someone becomes radicalized, they are so committed to their extreme beliefs
that they can't accept the fact that other people believe different things. Not
all people who become radicalized are violent, though radicalization can lead
to violent extremism. Some people at the Capitol riot were radicalized, Altier
said, but not all committed or even condoned violence.
What is
de-radicalization De-radicalization is the process of giving up your belief
in an extreme idea. It's also accepting pluralism – allowing for a reality in
which we can all hold different beliefs and recognizing that we shouldn't impose
our beliefs on others. Extreme ideologies usually maintain that other versions
of reality aren't acceptable. Horgan
said de-radicalization usually happens when someone grows disillusioned with
their involvement in an extreme group. Often many people have to cross a line
before they decide to step back.
Why someone
can't be forced to de-radicalize Experts say people generally can't be
forced to de-radicalize. An individual has to want to change. "It's
not something that people can be convinced to do," Horgan said. "I
don't know that it's ever necessarily too late ... but be careful about the
allure of a quick fix." He notes much of what we know about the
process of de-radicalization from terrorism comes from prison settings, which
is not comparable to a setting in which a concerned family member may approach
a loved one. But even then, the success of these efforts has been limited. Experts say the process of
de-radicalization can take years, decades even, especially when someone is
deeply ideologically committed. "I've interviewed a neo-Nazi who
would look at bagels and wouldn't eat them because they were 'of the Jews'
essentially," Altier said. "Even though he's left this Nazi group, he
doesn't really engage in that anymore. ... You've trained your mind to think
one way, and now you have untrain it – that when you see a bagel, you don't
think horrific things."
Preventing
radicalization is the most effective strategy It's easier to prevent
radicalization than it is to become de-radicalized. Once someone becomes
radicalized, they engage in what's called "psychological reactance."
"The more that you tell them something's wrong, the more they kind of
dig in and believe it, especially if it's coming from a non-credible
voice," Altier said. It can be frustrating for families since their
efforts to help are often reflexively rebuffed, while the Internet acts as a
vital accelerant for radical ideas.
The
psychology of misinformation When someone is vulnerable to radicalization,
they are often in distress, so if you see someone you care about struggling,
experts say reach out and offer support. The problem, they say, arises when
distress becomes combined with ideology." When somebody tells you, 'Hey, I
know you're in distress, but guess what? Somebody is responsible for it.'
That's when people find themselves being radicalized and scapegoating others,"
Horgan said.
Offer an
alternative social safety net Directly challenging someone on their beliefs
will not be fruitful. Instead, experts say to offer alternative opportunities
to channel frustration that don't involve violence, as well as alternative
avenues for socialization. Altier
said some of the people who attended the Capitol riot likely did so because
they were lured by the group. It
can be as simple as saying to someone "Hey, come hang out with us and do
something else," she said. Studies show over time, when people have
more social options, when they engage in other social relationships through
their jobs or their schools, their beliefs can start to change. "They're interacting with people who
have alternate views, but those views aren't being pushed on them, they're
being exposed to them," Altier said.
A role for
all of us to play The bad news is there are no easy answers. There are
endless pathways to radicalization impacting people with diverse histories who
are motivated by a mix of grievances. Some people won't be reached. Others
will, but it will require patience and a recognition there are limits to what
loved ones can do. If someone
does want to take a step back from their extreme beliefs, to re-examine them or
eventually dis-engage, one of the most productive things we can do is make it
safe for them to change their minds. "We need to reassure people
that there are ways for them to come back," he said. "They have a
role to play in warning others about the dangers of getting sucked in."
^ Sadly, many
of our friends and family members have turned to baseless and fake beliefs,
organizations and groups. That has led to divisions in our personal lives as
well as the violent division in our country. It is one thing to disagree with
someone and another to become violent and destructive about it. ^
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.