Gossip can be helpful and rumors can be destructive. (What did I just say? 👀) That depends on what you mean by gossip and rumors. First, gossip is normal and helps communities understand each other, threats in their environment, coordinate activities and set social expectation. On the flip side, rumors can be intentionally used to harm, harass, shame, or bully other people (especially people who might be different). To better understand the destructive behaviors of intentional rumor spreading we can look at an example and take a more critical view.
What is the Function of Rumors?
Rumors are often not idle and accidental because they are part of a person's ability to influence others. Rumors are tools used to intimidate others in order to assert one's dominance over others. When used strategically with an intent to manipulate and intimidate others then this is a big problem as it not only indicates the dysfunction of the source(s) but also their aggression towards anther.
Who Spreads Rumors?
Rumors can be spread by anyone but most people don't have the inner psychological distortion that would push them to veer far from the truth. Childhood patterns get repeated throughout life until something stops it. Certainly not liking someone and stating it is one thing but making up information is a sign of social manipulation. Those high on the narcissist spectrum, "dark personalities", use rumors to define and influence their environments in a negative way .
Who are the Targets?
The targets are typically people they want to control, damage, harass or intimidate. Sometimes it is a general coordinated effort to cover previous bad behavior and future intended bad behavior. With some personalities these self-oriented destructive ways will continue on and on as long as they are not provided with the insight to look within themselves as to why such behavior seems so simple.
Lets be clear about this. It isn't strength that drives them (other then strength of numbers and misinformation). It is perceived difference and weakness that allowed for the creation of a community target. Sometimes politeness and passivity are confusing. I'm the type of person who wants the best for people but when it comes to protecting children and protecting people's rights of myself, my children, and other people in this country (White, Black or Other) I have not veered and am unlikely to do so in the future.
There is little accountability for people who seek to damage others through rumors. While we may warn them that such behaviors are inappropriate the damage has already been done. You know this when people sort of are polite but don't want to get to know you and opportunities dry in certain circles because they have accepted the rumors based in surface differences. While this is often in-group and out-group dynamics based on ignorance....it doesn't stop it from happening.
We know we have a problem with hate groups and extremism. Rumors are tools used to harass others and often are a cover to deflect accountability for other bad behavior. When perpetrators are not held accountable our system is saying that the law is designed for one type of person and is applied disparately. Overall morality and justice must be part of the system if we want to build a great nation where institutions maintain the trust of Americans.
In this case the people involved should have at a minimum a psyche evaluation to ensure they are not a continued risk to the community and are ready and willing to deal with the deep dysfunction that causes allows for such behavior to be all too common. Our great country is at risk of creating wide and deep splits/divisions between different parties and peoples. It is up to our leaders to start thinking beyond themselves and into what these institutions stand for and where we want to go to be a great nation. Time is ticking!
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