Today, at every step, we meet journalistic (political, campaign) stereotypes, stock phrases, which, of course, are the reflection of the thinking stereotypes. Some of them are “national-patriotic” by nature. Some of them are related to the war basically. The rival soldiers, certainly, should be destroyed, unfortunately, the neighboring country’s leadership does not understand another language. But I am against describing their killed soldiers as “dead carrions” and other similar phrases. I think the depreciation of human life, regardless of this person’s nationality and deeds, eventually extends to the whole mankind, including to those who are right on your perspective, or to those who are dear to you.
Of course, the culprit should be limited. Those who are killing our soldiers and civilians are culprits. Ideally, certainly, they should be arrested and imprisoned. Nevertheless, it is technically not possible, therefore they must be killed. But hating these people … Crime, of course, shall be hated, and a man, no man should be hated. A person’s death should not become a subject of delight, even if you gain the right to your living by this death. Hence, I suggest abandoning this “carrion” rhetoric and talk about the enemy losses in discreet, not forgetting that we are talking about human lives in all cases.
The next journalistic stock phrase is from a different sphere, it is purely a propaganda trick that can once or 10 times affect the public opinion, but the 100th replication devalues this trick. Once an Armenian official – the President, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister – pay an official visit abroad, you can rest assured that the next day headlines will appear in several media, which would contain the word “scandal”. For example, “Armenia’s scandal,” which is followed by the name of a geographic point. Of course, our foreign policy is far from being perfect. But when the critics’ imagination is not sufficient enough to write any other heading and a text about the official visits, one gets the impression that they are not so diligent and are doing their propaganda work, so to speak, “left-handed”. Finally, about one more very popular stock phrase, which is applied at every step. We too easily characterize people to the face: “crazy,” “madcap,” “wacky,” “mentally ill”. It is often a label which we try to ignore the argument of the man. At best, it is a diagnosis that might also be incorrect. “Wacky” yet does not mean wrong. To make sure, I recommend you to read Chekhov’s “The Black Monk” story.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
