Click Here to be Outraged
An analysis of rhetorical methods and mechanisms.
All People In Group X Are Evil! An Appeal from a Good Ally in Group X
Group X is doing something bad. I’m part of Group X, so I can speak to you with authority, and you can trust me. However, we’re not doing enough to right this the way that we should according to (appeal to revered authority).
There is an even bigger Group, Y, of bad people. We’re wasting time arguing about Group Y, when we, imperfect Group X — partly because of our identities that are an innate part of ourselves due to accident of birth — need to step forward and take action to fix it. You know I’m speaking to you now, because I’m using the words you, we, our and I a lot. This grabs your attention. I’ll keep doing it to you.
Group Y makes us feel bad because we — Group X — are just like Group Y! We think we’re good — here, let me flatter you gently as to how good we think we are… after all, I’m one of you too — but we’re actually bad, and we’re not doing everything we can to support Group Z. Even worse, we’re thinking individually and questioning, when we should be acting — which makes us weak. You don’t want to be weak, do you?
Yes, it’s troubling that Group Z would use somewhat questionable tactics to tackle the problem of Group Y, but the ends justify the means. The evil we face in Group Y makes it justified. It is the only solution. Some of us question this and are wrong — that’s okay; more of us are on the side of right.
Lots of people agree that this is a real problem, so we need to accept that. It’s not your fault — it’s a problem with society itself. You’re not a bad person. Science and facts are getting in the way of fixing the real problem, which is a problem, so ignore that. The truth can be found in the people loudly complaining about the problem. Trust in their voices.
Group X, like me, you are truly awesome, and have awesome abilities. You feel uncomfortable because you’re finally having to deal with something that Group Z tells us happens to them all the time. You should feel uncomfortable — because you’re better than them, by an accident of birth, you’ve been protected from dealing with reality. You have an unfair advantage. It’s time to use that for something better.
We are bad, Group X, because we didn’t see that we’re part of this problem. Now that you know there is a problem, you must act, and fix this problem for weak and vulnerable Group Z that you need to defend because you’re stronger than them. Because you are not doing enough.
Group Z’s rally cries are a call to action for us in Group X. We need to speak up all the time, not just when it’s a big enough problem for us to see it happening. We must be vigilant, and look out for every possible minor implication that the problem is occurring, and stamp it out. Because Group Z are hurting. All of them. Every single person in Group Z.
Group Z shouldn’t have to do this alone. But Group Z don’t need our help. Group Z don’t really want our help. We must let Group Z take the lead here — and repeat what they say, verbatim. We need to amplify their voices, because they’re not being heard.
Instead, we should act as Group Z’s arbiters. We must make the changes that Group Z are asking for. We must take on Group Y. We must change ourselves, and demand that others do the same.
We need to look carefully at ourselves, and recognize that Group X are helping Group Y. We’re just as bad as Group Y. In some ways we’re worse. By looking at facts, or data, or analyzing the claims of Group Z, we’re as bad as Group Y who are hurting Group Z. We might as well be hurting Group Z ourselves.
Group X is privileged more than any other group, and we got those privileges by birth, and by exploiting Group Z.
Following the law, or the process of due diligence, or any other form or legal process rarely ever helps Group Z. Group Z have stopped reporting problems, because they are never helped. Because we are privileged, we should help them by standing by them as they bypass that process, and join in their shouts and cries, believing them.
Group X, you are good people, but you do not do enough to help. You must do more. You are evil if you don’t do more. Why aren’t you angry and doing more to help with the problems that Group Z face?
You must stand up and do more, right now.
This is a rhetorical analysis of an article on BuzzFeed about intersectional feminism, the Indian caste system, and sociopolitical issues in that country.
I chose to use that article because it’s easier to ignore the rhetorical tricks used when the issues it brings up aren’t entirely universal (in this case, because most readers won’t be well-versed in the Indian caste system). Even so, exactly the same approach is used by many — if not all — social media click-bait articles that rely on shaming and guilt to manipulate people.
Key to this is the use of the pronouns I, we, our, you and us. This is a trick that attempts to force you to identify with that author’s position, in a similar way to replacing every you with your actual real name. It’s a slightly less effective technique, but it works.
Now you know what to look for, try applying this method to the next outrage article you read. Media sites are annoyed by you applying this one strange trick… and what you find may surprise you.
