After some prodding by a reader, I finally got around to watching The Brainwashing of My Dad, the 2015 documentary by Jen Senko. I don’t know how it eluded my eyeballs for so long, but since it’s available for free on Youtube, there’s no reason not to check it out.
The film has garnered mostly favorable reviews from audiences as well as critics; and many of the negative comments try desperately to underplay the urgency of the subject matter, and even shoehorn it into a “both sides” narrative. There is a knee-jerk tendency to say “well sure, there are right-wing extremists out there, but whaddabout left-wing extremists. ” But there is no 180-degree left-wing opposite of MAGA mentality. The opposite of MAGA mentality is sanity and reason, which have nothing to do with any kind of fanaticism. Those who get hooked on right-wing blather don’t just alter their worldview but, quite often, their entire personality. Senko’s late father transformed from a kind, loving, compassionate soul to a bitter, angry, narrow-minded loon.
The most negative review I found is from David Berry of the Canadian journal National Post, who characterizes it as “so bad it’s good”, and “stunningly naive in both conception and execution”. As an example, he mentions that Jenko apparently was unfamiliar with the term dittohead before an interviewee uttered it — even though she was making a documentary about the impact of right-wing propaganda and indoctrination.
I must admit that I also thought it odd that she didn’t know what a dittohead was even though her own father was one for many years. But Berry’s haughty dismissiveness reeks of the kind of normalization of extremism that is so rampant down in the States. Like all too many Americans, he pegs Senko’s concerns as merely shallow partisan sour grapes; and suggests her ultimate objective is simply to bring everyone else’s worldview into alignment with her own. The import of his smug condescension is that if you are alarmed about the rise of cult mentality, then you yourself are buying into a cult mentality. In short, he himself is “stunningly naive” in underestimating the threat. As are many Americans — which is why the threat is such a threat.
Granted, The Brainwashing of My Dad is not a masterpiece. But neither is it merely, as Berry suggests, a trite history lesson that rehashes what’s already well-known to everyone about the right-wing noise machine. It’s dangerous to presume that everyone already knows what Senko is illuminating. And even if they did, the film is worth watching for at least four reasons.
1. It personalizes the problem
It’s one thing to make general observations about what Foxitis has done to the nation and the world. But facts and figures become much more meaningful and potent to the vast majority of the populace when you put a human face on them. Not everyone has an interest in statistics, social criticism, philosophy, history, or even current events. But we’re all storytellers, and we’re all moved by good stories.
There was no need for Senko to invent a central character for her tale, because she already had one in her own family. But the film isn’t just about her dad. Her story resonates because we all know at least one person like him. And she introduces several other people who have endured the same ordeal.
2. It connects some dots
Even if many of the specific links in the long chain of events leading to right-wing dominance of the public forum are already familiar to you (as they well may be if you are a reader of this blog), you may be surprised to see how well-connected they are. This is not just a series of isolated propaganda coups, but a well-coordinated campaign, something on the order of the legendary “vast right-wing conspiracy”.
3. It wades into the debate about brainwashing
This isn’t a prime objective of Senko’s, and indeed appears to be inadvertent. But it does summon up the question we’ve examined before about whether brainwashing is really even a thing. The title and premise of the film, and the testimony of at least one expert contained in it suggest that it does indeed exist. And yet nobody forced Frank Senko to become a dittohead; he chose to listen to Rush on his long commute, and he allowed himself to be swallowed up in the alternate reality of right-wing dogma. Senko also interviews other commentators who seem to undermine the concept of brainwashing. As does the story’s conclusion.
4. It offers hope
And the outcome is a happy one indeed. Senko’s dad (spoiler alert) throws off the mental shackles of the Foxiverse and reverts to his former loving, tolerant self. Nor is he the only one who has made such a recovery.
In fact, the evidence indicates that, while facts alone rarely change minds (if anything, they cause people to resist and burrow more deeply into their convictions), people do change their minds in a different environment. The reason you can’t get through to people like Frank is that they’ve built an iron bubble around themselves and retreated into it. But if you can penetrate and dismantle that bubble, and expose them to fresh air — as Frank’s family did, rather sneakily — their delusions will also begin to fall apart. And without the delusions, they can return to a healthy mindset.
Regardless of whether brainwashing as such is a reality, indoctrination of some sort certainly occurs. And it’s carried out by manipulators who cater to a vulnerable person’s craving for emotional intensity — particularly anger and fear. They are skilled at stirring up these passions and offering targets for them.
But we can triumph over that and restore/ maintain a modicum of sanity and decency. To do so, we don’t even have to offer an unending stream of truth, though that certainly doesn’t hurt. We just have to offer variety.
The Propaganda Professor 
Not just “my dad” but dozens of my friends.
Yep.
My dad was actually a very nice guy who did not diss or make fun of any minority groups. But my theory is that demagogues who repeat their lies endlessly, must appeal to feelings we all have that tap into our primal instincts. Most of us are not soldiers in real wars, but when someone appeals to the worst side of human nature without end, it’s kind of understandable that those trying to divide and conquer, will have a much simple job when turning brothers against brothers, neighbors against neighbors, and sowing discord into our personal family relationships.
You say that the video is not a work of genius, but it IS a work that does a great job of shedding light on the way autocrats are able to influence and control us with lies, misinformation, and by appealing to the most selfish parts of our human nature. I watched it all online, and i’m hoping that eventually the video works its way to Netflix etc. where many more viewers will gain access to it.
I watched the entire video online and found it very impressive. I also thought it was great when her father quit being so cult influenced, and returned to being his nice tolerant self again.
When writing online I often repeat a phrase that I first heard written in one of you articles–“Hitler didn’t need Nuclear weapons! He already had a weapon that was more effective–persuasive propaganda.”
I’d also recommend seeing a six episode documentary with a sort of tongue in cheek handling of the ways fascists and autocrats gain power and control us. It called, “How To Be a Tyrant, ” and it’s narrated by Peter Dinklage.
The phrase I quoted from a POP article, is not a word for word quote. But it basically includes whaT was said about the power of propaganda!!
Thanks for this article. I wanted to let people know that Senko reviewed my book, Deadly Delusions: Right-Wing Death Cult. It is the first book review she has written. You can find the review here: http://rhizomes.net/issue37/senko.html
Senko is not a professional scholar, yet has the qualities of curiosity and fearlessness that scholarship requires.
Thanks. Will have to have a look at your book sometime.
Hello POP your blog doesn’t recognize the new email I got a few months ago, so I am going to try enter my cell number to comment.
I’m seeing your comments. I don’t know what the problem is.
For one thing I had to change my email address after having data transferred from my old PC to my new one. However when I entered that email, my name, and this website, I now see my comments showing up. Thanks though.
[…] The Brainwashing of Our Dads […]
What about someone like my brother who is empathetic, compassionate, rational, a great father and husband who is educated and well-spoken…but is still hellbent on voting for Trump? There are always strange exceptions. His personality is well-intact. But the few times we’ve talked politics it’s like I’m talking to someone else. So I’m experiencing some real cognitive dissonance.
That does happen occasionally. What I’ve found is that many times these people can see the light on a small scale, but not the big picture. They may be compassionate, for example, toward specific refugees with whom they have some acquaintance, but still condemn “illegal immigrants” as a group. This is the case with several of my relatives.
I found this article on a website which discussed the characteristics of Fascism, and I thought this thread might be a good place to post it. It is from “Free Inquiry.”
“The 14 Characteristics of Fascism
by Lawrence Britt
Spring 2003
Free Inquiry magazine”
“Political scientist Dr. Lawrence Britt recently wrote an article about fascism (“Fascism Anyone)?,” Free Inquiry, Spring 2003, page 20). Studying the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile), Dr. Britt found they all had 14 elements in common. He calls these the identifying characteristics of fascism. The excerpt is in accordance with the magazine’s policy.”
“The 14 characteristics are:”
“Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.”
“Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of “need.” The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.”
“Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.”
“Supremacy of the Military
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.”
“Rampant Sexism
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.”
“Controlled Mass Media
Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.”
“Obsession with National Security
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.”
“Religion and Government are Intertwined
Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government’s policies or actions.”
“Corporate Power is Protected
The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.”
“Labor Power is Suppressed
Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.”
“Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.”
“Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.”
“Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.”
“Fraudulent Elections
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.”
Copyright © 2003 Free Inquiry magazine
Reprinted for Fair Use Only.
This article was based upon the article “The Hallmarks of Fascist Regime” by Skip Stone, at http://www.hippy.com/php/article-226.html.
back to CAH | ratville times | rat haus | Index | Search | tree
RATICAL.ORG
The 14 Characteristics of Fascism, by Lawrence Britt, Spring 2003
I found this article disconcerting because After Trump took over, concerns about Fascism are not idle intellectual predictions anymore. In fact, they are here already!
Was I the reader whose prompting got you to watch it?
Yes. A big high five.