THE MEANING OF POLITICS AND THE POLITICS OF MEANING

Over a week ago, my country observed our 124th Independence Day. Over a week from now, we will inaugurate the term of our 17th president, after months of deeply divisive electoral exercise. Friends, families, communities, churches, companies, and our people were left deeply divided along personality preferences.

Social media burned with unsavory labeling and name-calling, and personal attacks, among other forms of cognitive distortions. Politicized netizens [‘citizens’ who use the internet for communication] were disgusted with trolls but, in the process, behaved like trolls themselves. Cancel culture became prevalent. Small businesses struggling to rise from the pandemic were "cancelled" when perceived to be supportive of one campaign or another. Celebrities and influencers were "un-followed." Parents were “disowned” by their politicized children.