Dead Fish Go With the Flow
Source: Rhododendrites
Do you feel numb to the latest sexual assault allegations? Does it seem normal when President Trump misspeaks or mocks something? These days obscene and unthinkable ideas are plentiful. Some people- I would even venture to say most- have lost the urge to question, to reason based on principle. We just share posts, share other people’s views. “Dead Fish Go With the Flow,” the key word here is dead. Anybody can do it, even a dead person!
The Overton Window of Political Possibilities refers to a range of ideas the public is willing to accept. It argues that politicians are constrained to make decisions based on what the public deems normal. The window of “normal” can be shifted towards a far right or left ideology based on the level of information and advocacy exercised on a topic. In other words, the more you hear something that falls far from your usual beliefs, the more likely you’ll start to accept a variation of it. This may explain how in our current U.S. political arena ideas that would normally seem preposterous have become socially acceptable.
The idea that we can overlook the potential of anyone committing sexual assault and lying about it- especially if that person is in a position of power- is not okay and far from normal. It seems to be a plain lack of due process. Innocent until proven guilty, yes; but also justice must be upheld for potential victims with credible stories. Similarly, the idea that the president’s comments are perpetually scrutinized is not normal! Since when is it acceptable that perhaps the most powerful position in the U.S. government is being used as a platform of mockery and jokes toward anything that contradicts it? It’s not. The accuracy of words matters tremendously when you’re a president.
The Principle
Don’t laugh or shrug off the president’s character as that’s just how he is. He is a world leader that people look up to. His ability to make respectful comments sets a standard that some will follow, not thinking twice. Sexual assault allegations are coming out of the woodwork and maybe it’s political; but, also maybe there is truth behind some allegations. Everyone deserves due process under the justice system just as much as the accused deserve to be perceived as innocent until proven guilty. Don’t let the repetitive nature of unthinkable realities become normal in your mind. Going with the flow comes subtly and the consequence can be entire generations off-course from values worth standing for.
Based on Principle 
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