The quote suggests that when hatred is abstracted or removed from its human context, it becomes more potent because it lacks real-world consequences and challenges. This means that when hate is detached from concrete interactions with people and their lives, it can flourish unchecked.
Abstracting hatred means detaching it from the individuals who might be affected by it, thus making it easier to spread without accountability. Without direct human interaction, the true impact of such hatred cannot be understood or questioned, leading to its increased potency. This phenomenon highlights how online hate speech and dehumanizing rhetoric can thrive when they do not face immediate confrontation with the people being targeted. The quote encourages us to consider the importance of engaging directly with others to challenge and mitigate abstract forms of hatred that could otherwise grow uncontrollably.
Masha Gessen is a renowned Russian journalist, writer, and activist known for her extensive work on LGBTQ rights and political journalism in Russia. Her writings often explore themes of identity, oppression, and freedom, making this quote particularly resonant with her broader body of work focused on the consequences of dehumanization and abstracted hate in society.
