Widespread Wrath

Something ominous is happening in America's public places; outbursts of rage are becoming increasingly common. Customers in business establishments suddenly explode at the slightest request from staff. Asked to don a mask to limit the spread of COVID, some shoppers have pulled out a gun and shot the store's employee. Airplane flights are being terminated, when passengers assault attendants. Gun violence has dramatically increased. What used to be called road rage seems to have spread to “relentless rage.”

It is as if Americans have severed connections to each other, as they retreat into isolated and alienated enclaves, within which suspicion and fear of the other dominate. We have become politically and ideologically sequestered. In an attempt to acquire some measure of comfort, we seek the refuge of like-minded people, in order to let our fear and tension lessen, while we keep to our in-groups.

We have become intolerant of opposing perspectives, as if they are literally a threat to our existence. There is no longer much of a middle ground, where we may meet, listen to each other's stories, and come together. We retreat to our safe silos, taking comfort from those who share our concerns, and demonize those outside our confined bubble. There is a loss of unity, and of some common purpose. We've come to view the situation as a win-lose predicament, and we ferociously fight to be the winner.

What are the causes of this wrath and alienation? There have been numerous explanations offered—most often stemming from the opposing political persuasions that we hold. Another common interpretation is the vicissitudes forced upon us by COVID-19. Americans have been forced to hibernate and isolate, which has been an unbearable stress on socially-inclined individuals. One's imagination and dreads can become overwhelming under those conditions.

Additionally, the mystery of and misinformation about COVID have added to the anxieties. Rumor and apprehension quickly spread. Conflicting messages from the government and authorities have caused confusion and inspired conspiracy theories. Thus, problems of society—climate crisis, decay of democracy, inequality—have gotten set aside or fester in the minds of the populace. So COVID has definitely played its role in society's wrath. 

But the seeds of rage had already been planted well before this strain of corona virus entered the scene. Rudeness and alienation have relentlessly been on the increase in recent decades. Society has become progressively polarized. The internet's anonymity has allowed and encouraged some people to attack others. The domination of government by the rich and powerful has caused the country's leadership to ignore citizens' needs. As a result, frustration and anger have grown, as people have turned against the government's abandonment of their concerns and welfare. This anger and alienation culminated in the election of Trump, who further encouraged the rage and divisions.

Where do we go from here? No one knows. We are in a time of upheaval, which causes us to fight for our survival and each other. Will society's problems finally get attention, or will chaos continue to increase? Threats from without tend to pull a citizenry together. Threats from within tear us apart.