Us vs them
Splitting people into a good "us" and a bad "them".
In our replies we call it: Us vs them
What it means
Us-vs-them framing divides people into two camps: a good, threatened "us" and a bad, dangerous "them" (a religion, caste, region, party or "the elite"). It makes you feel part of a group under attack, so you stop judging the facts and start defending your side.
How to spot it in a Reel
- "They" without saying who exactly
- Whole communities blamed for what one person did
- "Wake up" / "our people" language and dramatic music
Examples
- A Reel about a crime highlights the accused's religion and ends with "they are all like this".
- A Reel about a protest calls everyone who disagrees "anti-national" or "bhakt".
Why it doesn't hold up
Real issues cut across groups. One person's act says nothing about millions who share their identity, and people who disagree with you on one issue aren't a single enemy.
What to say back
"Who exactly is 'they'? What did this specific person do, and what does the evidence say?"
Questions
Why is us-vs-them propaganda effective?
Belonging to a group is a strong emotion; once you feel your group is under attack, you check facts less.
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.
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