Step 1: Grouping
The first step down the Genocide Slide is taken when we group people together. People can be grouped together in any number of ways – by age, by occupation, by ethnicity, by blood type, by musical experience, by anything. ‘Grouping’ can be very useful, however at the same time it is the necessary precursor to some horrible things. All grouping creates division – division between “members” and “non-members”, division between “in” and “out”, division between “we” and “them”.
It is our obligation to avoid unnecessary grouping. It is our obligation to avoid using words that unnecessarily identify groups. It is our obligation to keep ourselves and our children totally off the Genocide Slide – far away at “Step Zero” where the world is an ungrouped family.
Step 2: Negative Speech; Cooties
The second step down the Genocide Slide occurs when a group is spoken of negatively. This includes jokes. Joking and making negative comments about another group spreads easy-to-remember (but hard-to-forget) stereotypes. Joking and negative comments about a group leads to avoidance and isolation – “cooties” as children would call it. This is the exact opposite of what should be happening. Avoidance perpetuates ignorance. Mixing and communication are what is needed.
It is our obligation to never laugh at or show approval of a demeaning joke or comment about a group. A simple "no" by a courageous person may be all it takes to save the joker and all listeners from slipping any further down the Slide.
Step 3: Hate-Speech; Dehumanization; Denial of Equal Opportunities
The third step down the Genocide Slide occurs when hatred is expressed towards some group. This includes referring to them as nonhumans – such as animals or roaches. This also includes denying them access to the doors that all others in the society are entitled to. Witnesses to Step 3 hatred not only have an obligation to stop the perpetrators, they also have an obligation to help them. Nobody deserves to be stuck in a miserable, hate-filled life. Society produces perpetrators when it is not fully integrated. Society produces perpetrators when its children are not able to mix freely and form friendships equally with all other children. Society produces perpetrators when neighborhoods and workplaces are not diverse. Society produces perpetrators when perpetrators are not helped.
It is our obligation to put an end to any hate-speech, immediately and publicly, so that everybody who hears the hate can also hear and be empowered by its rebuke. It is the job of our schools to teach students how to deliver such rebukes effectively but kindly.
Step 4: Incitement; Physical Attacks
People who engage in or incite physical attacks must be quarantined from society until they are no longer consumed with such hatred. Like viruses, hatred spreads and infects others. The contagion must be stopped.
It is our obligation to stand up like a wall to block all violence and all incitement to violence. If the police and court system are the most effective way to achieve this, it is our obligation to contact the police and to testify in court until the targeted group is safe and the attacker is confined and given the chance to grow in a different direction.
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"People who are aware of, and ashamed of, their prejudices
are well on the road to eliminating them.” – Gordon Allport
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