Outcast-maker

An 'outcast-maker' is an individual, action, or social force that causes or contributes to the exclusion, marginalization, or ostracism of a person or group from a community or society. This can occur through various means including defamation, discriminatory practices, inciting hatred, enforcing rigid social norms, or wielding power to isolate dissent. The term encompasses both intentional and unintentional actions that lead to the creation of outcasts, highlighting the systemic and individual factors involved in social exclusion. It signifies the agent, direct or indirect, responsible for inflicting social isolation, leading to feelings of alienation and other emotional impacts.

Outcast-maker meaning with examples

• The relentless smear campaign by the tabloids effectively made Sarah an outcast-maker, destroying her public image. Their articles, filled with unsubstantiated rumors, led to job losses and social isolation for Sarah, demonstrating the power of media in shaping public opinion and its devastating effects.
• Historical records reveal that the Salem witch trials transformed the court system into an outcast-maker, arbitrarily condemning innocent women. Accusations of witchcraft, combined with fear and religious extremism, created an environment where anyone could become a target, leading to mass persecution.
• A manager who consistently belittles and excludes certain employees can be considered an outcast-maker. Their actions, whether intentional or not, create a hostile work environment where some team members are isolated, hindering productivity and promoting a culture of fear.
• Certain laws that criminalize specific lifestyle choices act as an outcast-maker, pushing individuals to the margins of society. Such legislation enforces social control and discriminatory practices, denying basic human rights, isolating those who do not adhere to prescribed norms.
• The spread of online misinformation and hate speech transforms social media platforms into an outcast-maker. Individuals are targeted, attacked and canceled based on their differing opinions, creating echo chambers and polarising entire communities, resulting in social conflict and exclusion.