Collusion or brainwashing? Why do we keep silent about injustices?

In a world filled with injustice, we often find ourselves watching what happens, without doing anything, or in some cases justifying gross injustice, in defense of the oppressors. From bleeding Palestine to the victims of oppression in other parts of the world, the question remains urgent: Is silence about injustice deliberate complicity, or is it the result of systematic brainwashing that makes injustice acceptable and even justified?

Brainwashing: Reshaping Consciousness

Brainwashing is not just a passing idea in psychology, but rather a systematic process that aims to reshape the consciousness of individuals so that their beliefs are in line with the interests of certain powers. This term first appeared in the 1950s by psychologist Edward Hunter, when he observed the methods used by oppressive regimes to impose their dominance over minds. The process is not superficial; rather, it involves several steps that begin with intellectual isolation, where individuals are denied access to free and independent information, thus reinforcing only one point of view.

Then comes the intellectual repression and the prevention of critical thinking, where a repetitive discourse is spread that portrays submission as a virtue. By repeating propaganda messages and repeating lies until they become indisputable “facts,” the silent victim becomes an indirect partner in his own repression.

Silence in the face of injustice is not merely the absence of expression; it represents a complex psychological state in which feelings of fear, denial, and adaptation to painful reality intertwine. Cognitive distortion is one of the most prominent psychological phenomena that occurs when individuals justify the actions of oppressors. Here, the oppressor becomes the protector of security, while the victim is blamed for his or her suffering.

When injustice persists for long periods, people begin to engage in defense mechanisms such as denial or normalization of the painful reality. The person begins to accept the status quo as inevitable. Collective fear also plays a crucial role, as fears of expressing dissent increase, and the vicious cycle of silence and submission continues.

Psychological alienation is represented by the feeling of helplessness in the face of an oppressive authority, which leads to the loss of the ability to resist, and submission becomes the only option.

If we look at history, we find many examples of how colonial and oppressive powers have used brainwashing to ensure the continuation of their oppression.

In the New World, psychological and religious methods were used to justify slavery, where slaves were misled into believing that they were less human and that their submission was divinely willed. Through religious indoctrination and forced abandonment of their cultures and names, a distorted consciousness was built about slavery to the white Christian master, its significance, and its relationship to religion.

In Algeria during the French colonization, France sought to instill a sense of inferiority in Algerians through radical changes in educational curricula that portrayed France as a civilized nation, while Algerians were considered backward and primitive. In addition, France imposed laws such as “Indigene” that turned Algerians into second-class subjects.

In Palestine, the global media machine has been used to brainwash Palestinians by portraying them as terrorists and creating justifications for the Israeli occupation under the banner of the Promised Land and the Chosen People. This propaganda seeps into the collective consciousness of the world, making many sympathize with the oppressors and ignore the suffering of the victims.

One of the most egregious examples of global silence on injustice is what is happening in Gaza now. Although information about what is happening is available, televised and documented by all Western governments, most of these governments, and even many international institutions, have chosen to remain silent or ignore these atrocities. Despite having accurate information about the mass killing and torture of the people of Gaza, the world’s response has been slow and limited. World powers have failed to act quickly and effectively to stop it, which shows a painful aspect of global complicity and willful ignorance.

The world between silence and collusion

Silence about injustices in the world is often the result of intense and systematic brainwashing. Injustice is sometimes justified under false slogans such as “peace” and “development.” Directed media, biased educational curricula, and false political discourses contribute greatly to this distorted perception of reality. But complicity is not just silence; it is a conscious attitude that reflects the fear of losing personal privileges or interests.

Sultans’ scholars play a major role in strengthening oppressive regimes by giving religious or moral cover to unjust actions. These scholars work to instill the idea that submission to oppression is inevitable, and that resisting it is disobedience to God. They contribute to the perpetuation of people’s suffering by exploiting religion to serve the interests of tyrannical regimes.

To combat this phenomenon, we must first understand why people remain silent. Is it a complete ignorance of the truth, or the influence of media disinformation? Is it a fear of punishment or repression? Or is it simply an internal acceptance that change is impossible?

Therefore, we must work on education and culture to promote critical thinking and uncover the truth. We must dismantle these lies that are being spread globally. It is also necessary to expose the complicity that protects the interests of oppressive powers, while shedding light on the hidden interests behind international positions that remain silent about injustice. Finally, we must reconsider the role of religion, by restoring its essence that calls for the support of the oppressed, instead of allowing it to be used as a tool to justify injustice.

Silence in the face of injustice is not just the absence of expression; it is a complex psychological state, where fear overlaps with denial, and submission with loss of hope. This silence distorts human consciousness, and pushes the person to become part of the machine of injustice, rather than being an active agent of change.

To remain silent about injustice is to become alienated from the human self. It is a true test of consciousness: either we break this vicious cycle of fear and inertia, or we sink into negativity and become part of the oppressive force that perpetuates injustice.

Silence may provide temporary relief, but it becomes a burden that weighs down the soul. Resistance, on the other hand, is the soul’s battle with its fear, but it is also the first step to true liberation.