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Irrelevant identity
Highlighting religion, caste or nationality where it has no bearing.
In our replies we call it: Brings in religion or caste
What it means
This trick puts someone's religion, caste, region or nationality front and centre in a story where it has nothing to do with what happened. The viewer is invited to blame the identity, not the act.
How to spot it in a Reel
- Religion or caste in the headline of a crime or accident story
- Contrasts like "the hero is X, the attacker is Y" by community
- Identity mentioned when investigators haven't linked it to the act
Examples
- A Reel about a road accident names the driver's religion in the caption.
- A Reel about a rescue highlights the rescuer's caste to praise a whole community.
Why it doesn't hold up
Unless investigators link it to the act, identity is irrelevant. Highlighting it invites viewers to judge millions of people by one person.
What to say back
"Why does their religion matter to what happened here?"
Questions
Is mentioning identity always wrong?
No. It's relevant when it's part of the facts (for example, a hate crime charge). It's a trick when it's added for effect.
Check a Reel for this trick
Send any Reel to @checkthis.chat on Instagram. If it uses this trick, the reply names it and shows where it happens.
Send a Reel