Truth and Consequence
The first “explorers” to bring slaves into America partially justified slavery by stating that skin color correlated to intelligence, thus labeling African peoples as inferior, even deserving of their life in servitude. These beliefs spread through America until there were nearly four million slaves in the United States in the 1860s.
Today, approximately 40 million American citizens are still systematically discriminated against as a result of these myths of the 1600s. One would think that this would serve as a lesson moving forward. Yet today, huge numbers of lies are being passed around and perpetuated through mass disinformation. Accurate information should be a basic human right.
The Kremlin, facing economic pressure after sanctions from the West, is scrambling to shape the information their citizens receive to gain domestic approval after decades of steady propaganda. Putin has blocked access to Facebook and major foreign news outlets in addition to implementing a new law that will imprison anyone spreading “false information” or public opposition to the Ukraine invasion for up to 15 years. Even under US sanctions for having spread the false narrative that Ukraine is the aggressor, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made a baseless claim that Ukraine laboratories were creating biological weapons. In a nation outlawing divergent perspectives, the government has strong influence over the citizens and their opinions.
After the Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade, disinformation has flooded the internet building upon decades of continued falsehoods. Anti-abortion movements aimed to mislead the public with myths and disinformation about the evilness of performing or having an abortion. They targeted individuals and advocated for pills to reverse an abortion even though they were proven neither safe nor neccessarily effective in clinical trials. Even pro-abortion activists provided their supporters with incorrect data about how to have an abortion in a post-Roe v. Wade America. Many suggested herbal choices or homemade medicines without complete knowledge of effects on the body. Both sides were so quick to push out “facts” about abortion to support whatever message they endorsed that they misinformed millions in the process.
We can also see evidence of dangerous disinformation in the insurrection of January 6th 2021. Recently, retired federal Judge J. Michael Luttig described Trump as a “clear and present danger” to American democracy and accused him and his allies of waging a “war on democracy.” The attack was motivated by Trump supporters’ false belief–inspired by Trump himself and perpetuated through today– that the election was rigged. His words caused lawmakers to fear for their lives, as well as mass assault on police officers and destruction of Capitol property.
Clearly, a world with informed citizens and less means to spread lies for power would be a better place. A diversity of opinions, and intense debate, is essential for protecting democracy. There are no easy solutions, but educated persons are essential in a democracy. Surely in America, education should be prioritized with a focus on awareness of disinformation.
Sasha Shea Kirby is a Next Generation Civic Fellow and a sophomore at Stuyvesant High School. She is passionate about human rights and the complex interrelation between everyday actions and social inequality.