Letters to the Editor, June 17, 2025
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FOSTERING ANGER
In the aftermath of the election, federal Conservatives seemingly intend to keep half of Canada angry. They believe this is the only way to uphold principles inspired by Trump’s America: Maintain (your) disgust … which apparently still sounds like a good idea to many on their side of the political divide. Anger seems to encourage the use of cognitive shortcuts. Adding disgust to the mix is even more destructive. Disgust appears to have the unique capacity to foster the social-cognitive dehumanization of out-group members, and it is far easier to engage in violence when targets are dehumanized. History provides plenty of examples. To quote legal scholar Geoffrey R. Stone: “We are capable of great ugliness and hatred. Let us not kid ourselves.” In examining speeches given by the leader of the official Opposition, his lieutenants, and spokespersons representing political groups like the Alberta Prosperity Project, we discover that when they invoke anger plus contempt and disgust, their followers are more likely to devalue members of the out-group. This rejection of inclusive ideals is a particularly dangerous and even deadly combination. Beware of righteous anger, contempt and disgust. It is a combination that risks turning us into the very thing we loathe — the most dangerous of beasts.
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William Perry Victoria, B.C.
(Half the country is angry, however over the election results. And don’t mistake the role of the official Opposition for “anger” — it’s their responsibility to hold the government to account)
HATE ON THE RISE
Antisemitism is rising in Canada. Jewish Canadians face harassment and threats while their identity is wrongly treated as a provocation and their trauma questioned. Institutions claim neutrality but end up enabling hate. Police tolerate hostility in the name of protest. History shows us where this leads. The warning signs are clear. We cannot say we did not know. Only that we chose to look away and remain silent.
Ryan Matthews North York
(It should be completely intolerable in our society and more of us need to say enough is enough)
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