Why the moral panic over "grooming" is so effective at manipulating the right-wing mind

The Non-Prophets

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Salon, Matthew Rosza, January 30, 2023 http://bit.ly/3xcJxyH

This segment discusses the moral panic surrounding the term "grooming," particularly in relation to LGBTQ+ people, and how it is being weaponized by right-wing politicians, particularly in Florida under Ron DeSantis. Historically, moral panics have been used to demonize specific groups—examples include the witch hunts and the Nazis' rise to power. The latest iteration of this tactic is the banning of books and restricting discussions around LGBTQ+ topics in schools under the pretense of "protecting children." The panel critiques the effectiveness of this fear-based messaging, pointing out that invoking child safety is an emotional trigger that stirs public outrage, even when there's no factual basis. The term "grooming" is being misused to conflate LGBTQ+ identities with pedophilia, despite no evidence supporting such a connection. Instead of addressing actual risk factors for child abuse—such as poverty, lack of education, and inadequate mental health services—conservatives are using the "grooming" narrative as a political weapon. They also highlight the hypocrisy of these fearmongers, who ignore well-documented abuses within religious institutions like the Catholic Church. The discussion expands to how right-wing leaders, including DeSantis, use these tactics to rally their base by creating an "us vs. them" mentality, turning marginalized communities into scapegoats. The panel draws parallels to past laws in the UK, like Section 28, which banned "promoting" homosexuality, a vague and harmful policy that took over a decade to repeal. Ultimately, the panel argues that real child protection efforts should focus on economic stability, education, and community support rather than scapegoating LGBTQ+ people or banning books. The fear-mongering around grooming isn't about protecting kids—it’s about controlling the narrative and demonizing marginalized communities for political gain.

The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.10.1 featuring Jason Sherwood, Aaron Jensen, Richard Firth-Godbehere and Scott Dickie.
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