The Language of Manufactured Grief
What's actually happening: FIRST INSTANCE: The 'Devastation' Playbook (1980s onwards) The strategic deployment of terms like 'devastated' or 'horrified' in response to protest-related incidents has a long history. In the UK, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, for example, expressed 'utter revulsion' at miner's strike violence in 1984 , often contextualizing it within a broader 'battle for
democracy' narrative. This set a precedent for leadership to frame certain protests as attacks on state legitimacy, rather than mere civil unrest. REPETITIONS: Selective Outrage in Action Fast forward to 2019 , Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned climate change protests that caused 'destruction' and 'disruption,' equating them with 'anarchy.' Yet, when far-right counter-protesters
instigated violence, the condemnation often arrived later, if at all, and often focused on both sides. Another instance: In 2021 , when anti-lockdown protests in Melbourne turned violent, resulting in assaults on police and property damage, PM Morrison condemned the actions but notably did not use the term 'devastated' in relation to the protest itself, focusing instead on the rule of law. The
response to violence perpetrated by attendees of the 'Freedom Convoy' protests in Canada in 2022 , admired by many conservatives globally, also saw differentiated condemnation, with some leaders emphasizing the 'peaceful' nature despite documented instances of property damage and harassment. OUTCOMES: Double Standards and Narrative Control Each time this selective outrage is deployed, the public