How extremism impacts American society

Intro:

Extremism, in recent years, continues to become much more contentious and polarizing. Its influences have also begun to permeate within United States culture with the rise of Antifa, Q’Anon and other extremist groups. What is more alarming, these groups are willing to utilize violence and bullying tactics to achieve their objectives irrespective of how it will impact society as a whole. Many of these members of these groups are often unwilling to compromise on their positions or listen to opposing facts related to their views. Here, social media and traditional media have a role as these institutions are often biases towards one particularly view and don’t provide context towards opposing views. As a result, members of these extremist groups typically coalesce around media, social groups, and other channels that are provide the same message without looking towards outside sources to find disconfirming evidence. This behavior further emboldens the group to take action as they believe their actions are just and in the best interest of the country. Unfortunately, their violent behavior can result not only in the death of other members of society but very contentious debate which often leads to further violence. The January 6th United States capital riots, Neo-Nazi violence against minorities based in America, the Ku Klux Klan killing of innocent African Americans, and Al Qaeda describing all Americans as evil, are all based in extremist ideology without regard to review of objective facts or reverence for opposing viewpoints (Alakoc, 2017).

Assertion:

Here, the assertion is that most extremism undermines the fabric of Democracy, and if allowed to grow unabated, it could potentially unravel the foundations that underpin American civilization. These groups often use fear, intimidation, and bullying to achieve their goals. If allowed to persist, it will embolden still more extremisms groups to do the same. It is important for society denigrate, shun and discourage this behavior as much as possible to ensure the safety and security of their fellow man,

Define:

Extremism: the holding of extreme political or religious views; fanaticism

Elaborate: Negative effects within the Department of Defense

Extremism and its negative consequences not only permeate the United States but also within the department of defense. This is particularly concerning as the beliefs of many of these groups run counter to the beliefs of the Department of Defense. This behavior undermines the oath which each member of the department of defense took to support and defend the constitution of the United States against threats both foreign and domestic. Extremism is quickly becoming a domestic threat causing harm to both the American way of life and the manner in which it engages in political discourse.

The negative effects within the DOD are compounded as many of these ideologies discriminate, hate and harass those of different religions, ethnicities, and backgrounds. The department of defense relies on these different background and perspective to properly protect the American people. By discriminating against the very same elements which are needed to protect the nation, the internal culture within the department is compromised (Bates, 2014).

Another negative effect is that extremism is easily transmissible particularly if the recruiter is very charismatic. Society has witnesses how easily and effective charismatic leaders are persuading the masses. Irrespective of the political view, Donald Trump was able to leverage his followers to attack the capital o the United States, which to that point, had never been done since the founding of the nation. Likewise, he was able to convince nearly 74 million Americans that the election was “rigged” and “stolen” resulting is yet more polarizing debate regarding the integrity of the overall election process. This same concept can apply to extremism and the radicalization of individuals within the Department of Defense. One individual, particularly if they are in a position of power, have influence, and are charismatic, can systemically change the culture within the department. The individual, much like Trump can use their influence to appeal to the lesser parts of the human psyche, thus recruiting people to become members of extremist groups.

Provide Examples on Religious Groups: Al Qaeda, Hamas, KLU KLUX KLAN

As noted earlier religious groups such as Al Qaeda, use religion to first recruit members to their cause and then leverage it to enact society destroying behaviors. Here, due to their religion Al Qaeda believes Americans should be eradicated and killed. To accomplish this, they are willing to engage in terrorism, kidnapping, torture, and any other members to intimidate American society. Likewise, the Ku Klux Klan, which is primarily Christian, believe that white Americans are fundamentally superior to African Americans. This was the basis for colonial Americans conquering all of America. Due to manifest destiny, white Americans believe it was their right to own all the land from “ Sea to shining Sea.” What ensure was the slaughtering of millions of Native Americans, the enslavement of millions of African Americans, and the development of a white supremacist narrative (Appleton, 2014).

Political Groups: Q’Anon, Stormfront, Antifa

Political groups much like religious groups many similarities. They believe they have a decree or mandate to behave in a manner that antithetical to human development. These groups believe that their beliefs are correct and are unwilling to hear any counter arguments to their beliefs. Much like religious groups, these political groups are often empowered to kill others who do not subscribe to their belief system (Bouhana, 2018)