Today I decided to remove myself from the toxic effects of Facebook and social media in general. The American election for the Presidency of the United States has, without question, become a toxic affair, more fitting black sites from the Dark Web, where hate speech espoused by social misfits and sociopaths can be found, prompting action by extremists who will act on impulse given the opportunity.

The mentally ill, sociopaths, racists, misogynists, rapists, psychopaths and social misfits not delineated as of yet within the DSM V, actually are being ‘goaded-on’ by so-called mainstream politicians seeking office in America. Hate is not simply the purview of a very small number of Americans, it is entering the mainstream, where the hateful are invited to attend rallies, so obnoxious and vehement that I am shocked by what I am seeing.

What is transpiring in this election has never been seen before. The level of hate and the fervour of those espousing hate, is not just emanating from the public, but by design from those within the political leadership of the Republican Party. Hate speech has not just entered the arena of politics, it has pushed everything else off the stage and threatened democracy in the process.

I am a Canadian. We certainly have had ‘instances’ of hate speech in Canadian politics, but it is immediately called-out and those taking part sanctioned for doing so. Hate speech in Canada is part of the criminal code, and has a zero tolerance. What is visibly and viscerally different in America and this election is that extreme anti-democratic hate speech, which would would lead to a charge for hate speech in Canada, passes for political mainstream ‘speak’ in the United States. Some have the nerve to call hate speech, free speech.

Joseph B. Walther in Sciencedirect.com, Volume 45, June 22, 101298 states,

“Online hate is pervasive: surveys across several countries indicate that 42%–67% of young adults observed ‘hateful and degrading writings or speech online’ [2,3], and 21% have been victims themselves [4]. Online hate has negative effects on the well-being of both victims and observers, including ‘depression, isolation, paranoia, social anxiety, self-doubt, disappointment, loneliness, and lack of confidence’ [5].

The effects of observing and receiving hate via social media, however, may be quite different than the effects of expressing hate via social media. Although some scholars suggest that ‘dark participation’ in online hate reflects individuals’ malevolent impulses [6], an alternative perspective considers whether social media help satisfy the needs for inclusion and recognition that ‘bad actors’ also have. From that perspective, the conduct of online hate, as a social process, enhances its perpetrators’ well-being. By identifying, collaborating, and reinforcing other like-minded culprits (see, e.g. studies by Ferguson and Glasgow [7]), and forming bonds with them through virtual interaction, they may experience validation and social support.

A social approval-based theory of online hate suggests that the motivations and gratifications of those who post hate messages are not primarily to antagonize their ostensible victims. Alternatively, people generate hate messages online primarily to accrue signals of admiration and praise from sympathetic online peers and to make friends [8]. As a by-product, because social media magnify self-persuasion [8], their prejudices should become more extreme as they obtain more social reinforcement in response to their public hate messaging.”

What is occurring online in 2024 is a direct reflection of what is being viewed daily on television and reported by mainstream media. It is loosing those who are mentally unstable and irrational into the mainstream politic of America, and it is both dangerous and contemptible, as is the willful intent of the Republican Party to do so.

America is on the verge of civil strife, possibly civil war. In that respect, art mirrors life, as the mainstream film of the same name, I believe, was meant to draw attention and serve as a warning to the dangers associated with such a polarized and hate-filled political environment. Unfortunately, in America, the positions taken are diametrically opposed, and neither side is listening to the voices of rationality or reason. Democrats, convinced, and duly so, that trump is mentally unstable, and a sociopath, seem no longer capable or interested in debate or dialogue with those on the extreme right.

I can entirely understand this, as I have attempted on numerous occasions to enter into dialogue with these same individuals. I am an avid motorcyclist and normally travel throughout the US photographing and documenting. This fall, on a short trip through rural up-state Minnesota I entered into conversation at several cafe’s enroute with local Trump supporters, all wearing or displaying Trump supported statements. What I discovered for myself was that dialogue was, and is, impossible.

These were local Minnesotans who held extreme rightwing views and also held no willingness or no evident capacity for reason or understanding. They simply stated that they wanted to see Republicans gain power in order to use the organs of power to destroy Democratic institutions and Democracy, as they felt it was not working for them and Republicans “would create something better”.

So visceral and angry was their rhetoric, that on the two occasions where such discussions were held, face to face, I ended the discussion for fear that they would act violently towards me.

America is in peril, real peril. Democracy, if trump is elected, will end, of that I am convinced. Retribution, hate and the release of those in society who willfully will act to hurt or destroy, not just democracy, but immigrants, blacks; – in fact any and all who attempt to stop their actions, is possible, even probable.

Civil War is truly possible and the window of opportunity to gain back control and avoid chaos, is very limited.

I for one, should this election be won by trump, will never again set foot in the United States. And the reason for doing so should be obvious, – America is a reflection of its political leadership and their beliefs. It tells me that not only is America a dangerous place for anyone who does not believe in autocracy and the victimization of minorities in America, but Americans, in the majority, are also capable of acting irrationally and dangerously towards anyone not part of their tribe.

Tribalism is destroying America.

I want no part of it…ever.