Using COVID Fear to Divide and Rule.

• Author: Singleton, Marilyn M.
• Position: POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

In the 1960s, anti-war activists adopted songs like "Eve of Destruction" and "For What It's Worth" as their anthems. Disenchanted youth feared that the world was on the verge of collapse; we were nearing the end of days. Concurrently, civil rights activists were singing the hopeful "We Shall Overcome." (Black folks singing an upbeat and emboldening song written by a white guy would be frowned upon today.) Both groups were buoyed by the blessing of free speech. Their voices were heard. Attempts at silencing them only made their voices louder and more widespread. Even people on the sidelines began to pay attention.

The war ended, civil rights moved forward, and life went on. People wanted not to sing the same note, but harmony. Even Rodney King, whose 1991 beating was a lightning rod for riots against police brutality, pleaded, 'Can't we all just get along?' Yes, we can. People have no appetite for or energy to waste on hating for sport. We have the freedom and sensibility to disagree and work toward peaceful coexistence--when we are free from government propaganda and media manipulation.

However, the political class thrives on discord. Since circa 360 B.C., the "divide and rule" concept has been on the books. Philip II of Macedon (Alexander the Great's father) knew that with division comes weakness. The Greek rulers were able to keep the various cultural and ethnic groups in check by ensnarling them in a constant state of conflict--they were so busy bickering and jockeying for favored status that they failed to see their government's main objective was to stay in power, not to empower the populace... then, as now.

Enter the pandemic. Politicians have used COVID-19 not as an enemy, but an ally. After driving us to be preoccupied with our fear of the coronavirus, the government is working its magic: Mask up and lock down! Why? Where is the data? Do not ask. Just comply. Now, instead of the ancient emperors installing local overlords, the powerful have frightened people into spying on neighbors to root out maskless faces and those who dare cultivate their friendships.

Mixed messages keep us off-guard. Amidst calls for national unity, a Public Broadcasting (paid with our tax dollars) Service attorney suggests locking up Donald Trump voters and putting their children in re-education camps, while America's sweetheart and former national news anchor Katie Couric recommended deprogramming frump supporters.

Teachers' unions keep their members out of...