Subhumanization

Subhumanization refers to the process of depicting or treating individuals or groups as less than human, stripping them of their inherent dignity, rights, and moral worth. It involves dehumanizing rhetoric, imagery, and actions that portray the targeted group as inferior, animalistic, monstrous, or otherwise deserving of different treatment than humans. This can manifest in discriminatory policies, violence, and the erosion of empathy, creating a climate of prejudice and facilitating atrocities. It often serves to justify exploitation, oppression, and even genocide, making it a dangerous and pervasive form of social and political manipulation. The objective is to distance oneself from the targeted group, making their suffering seem inconsequential or even deserved.

Subhumanization meaning with examples

• The propaganda campaign used dehumanizing language, likening the enemy to vermin. This blatant Subhumanization served to incite hatred and justify the massacres that followed, making it easier for soldiers to commit atrocities against the 'lesser' people.
• During times of famine, officials often implemented policies that, by design, subhumanized the starving population. This allowed them to prioritize the needs of specific groups, ignoring the plight of others and thereby exacerbating the crisis by removing food from those who needed it most.
• The historical treatment of enslaved people involved systemic Subhumanization through laws and customs. This was used to justify brutal treatment, denying them basic human rights, and viewing them as mere property rather than people deserving of compassion and respect.
• Social media is sometimes used to subhumanize vulnerable groups by spreading misinformation or hate speech. This can lead to an increase in harassment and violence, further marginalizing these already struggling communities.
• The use of caricatures and stereotypes in political discourse often aims to subhumanize those with opposing viewpoints, fostering polarization and making constructive dialogue exceedingly difficult.
• Certain regimes intentionally used Subhumanization to justify the expulsion of ethnic minorities from their territories.
• The eugenics movement applied this to select out groups that were considered defective or harmful, with no regard for human dignity.
• During wartime, dehumanization is often found among combatants who must view their enemy in this way.
• Some organizations apply Subhumanization by making the claims that their product is superior to that of any human being or competitor.
• One political faction may use this against their opponents in order to win over supporters.