Posts Tagged ‘Steinman’
Naming Things – Barbarism, Harassment
Monday, June 1st, 2009
Did you know the origin of the word harassment?
to ha•rass
Etymology: French harasser, from Middle French, from harer to set a dog on, from Old French hare, interjection used to incite dogs, of Germanic origin
No wonder bullying and harassment are so dehumanizing, it is as if someone called on the attack dogs. Our South African friend Susan Steinman always invoked in her books the metaphor of bullies as hyenas, flesh-eating, pack-traveling attackers.
Illinois State professor Curtis White ponders in a new essay how humans can destroy the natural world. According to him, the source precedes contemporary culprits, and goes much deeper. Unfettered capitalism and the emphasis on “winning” are certainly to blame. But the human “barbaric heart” underlies our warlike approach to others. Violence and plunder are virtuous in a winner-take-all society. Citing the experience of the Romans, for whom prosperity depended on violence, White makes the point that the strategy is ultimately suicidal. But barbarians lack insight, never pausing to reflect on actions taken.
I know many of you are convinced most bullies are evil, barely human! Others believe all bullies are psychopaths. I thought you’d appreciate yet another way to characterize their quest for interpersonal violence at work — they are barbarians. In reality, we believe most bullies are banal soccer moms and fathers of the month. At work, they are transformed into barbarians.
Love to have your thoughts on the matter.
Tags: barbaric heart, harassment, Steinman, White
Posted in Bullying Tutorials | 5 Comments »
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