Several pro-government opinion writers have recently written
articles denouncing those who spread their bleak outlook, framing them as if
they were the enemies of Jordan’s success. This kind of messaging has turned
into an accusatory mantra, with public officials promising “not to be broken”
by the epidemic of pessimism, which can be seen everywhere, from mainstream
media to people’s private conversations.
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But that is not an
effective way to improve the national mood. To boost a person’s — or in this
case, a nation’s — levels of optimism, Jordanian public leaders need to focus
on the positive, not the negative. Telling people, “you are sour pessimists,
and we won’t allow your cynicism into the public discourse,” is futile. Worse
still, it antagonizes people and creates a further rift between government and
citizens.
Scolding people without taking responsibility for
the government’s role in the mental state we are in today will only serve to
reaffirm the negative feelings of Jordanians and deepen the public’s
demoralized frame of mind while inadvertently bringing out their stubbornness.
Rather than inspiring the “doubters” to adopt a more
positive attitude, the government is unintentionally putting them on the
defensive, making discouraged individuals want to dig in their heels even more
by reiterating their negativity.
To illustrate, some opinion writers have recently
defended their right to negativity in a bid to differentiate themselves from
authority figures, whom they think have failed the Jordanian people time and
again on critical dossiers like water, transparent governance, domestic
violence, social injustice, the erosion of the middle class, and the
deterioration in the quality of life.
The government cannot build trust — and look
credible while doing so — if it keeps on antagonizing the nation by suggesting
Jordanians are in the wrong to feel helpless and disengaged.
Whether they are young Jordanians looking for
inspiration in the adults around them, including parents and teachers who
mistreat and abuse them as shown in recent studies, or older citizens who
understand how the world works but have faced an avalanche of disappointment
throughout their lives, the state offers neither a convincing and consistent
narrative that could instill positivity in them.
It seems the government is unable to foster open
channels of communication with citizens of all socioeconomic backgrounds — not
just the private sector and the elite — and it is also clueless about building
national morale.
Jordan has many positives to build on; that is not
in question. But when people are demoralized, it is impossible to see the cup
as half full. A depressed person, or a low-spirited group of people, will never
be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel without professional help and
a steady stream of moral support.
Jordan needs government officials who are credible,
honest, and inspiring. We need discerning leaders with an intuitive
understanding of human nature who can capitalize on the Jordanian people’s
undeniable resilience — to inspire hope, motivation, and excellence in them.
Scolding people without taking responsibility for the government’s role in the mental state we are in today will only serve to reaffirm the negative feelings of Jordanians and deepen the public’s demoralized frame of mind while inadvertently bringing out their stubbornness.
That said, motivated economic, political, and social
leaders are not enough. They will have to create a host of emotionally
intelligent morale-building communication tools and products to transform the
collective consciousness of Jordanians across the board.
In this context, the word “collective” does not
imply a single, flat message for all. Every target audience needs a special set
of key messages that correspond with their state of mind and emotional
expectations.
How Hollywood shapes public attitudes
Before the age of political
correctness and its newest version of “cancel culture”, action films, like
Rambo, brainwashed Americans and the world with their crude notions of American
superiority. The psychological impact of the invincible, white, macho man — who
emerged unscathed despite a maelstrom of bullets from enemy machine guns — was
unparalleled.
In an era marred with unchecked chauvinistic and
sexist attitudes, Rambo’s five movies proved to be an unequivocal success in
shaping the world and domestic attitudes about the US. The movie and its
sequels made sure not to show viewers the uglier face of America. Systematic
racism against Black people, for instance, was left out of the narrative in a
movie that idealized US power by constructing a larger-than-life portrayal of
the North American republic.
This overdramatized depiction is rooted in historic
facts. The US’ belated involvement in World War II had a defining role in
Europe’s victory. While this information may get old and boring with time, a
Hollywood action thriller that engages the viewers’ emotions and senses is
certainly more enduring.
While the Republicans in the current American
landscape are stuck in the past century and remain more attached to war-driven
images of supremacy, Democrats and progressives have reimagined their country’s
public image.
Liberal TV and film producers have kept up with the
times to maintain the same message of “American greatness” by using modernized
politically-correct language that appeals to a younger generation. In today’s
“woke” culture, the liberals have opted for a more humanized image of the US,
as they chose to paint the underdog as this era’s hero.
For example, TV political dramas like Madame
Secretary offer viewers a contemporary image of the US. Representing a
once-alienated segment of society (i.e., women), the fictitious character of
Elizabeth McCord, played by American actress Téa Leoni, is a former CIA analyst
and political science professor who becomes the US secretary of state due to
her unmatched level of humanity.
This thoughtful and loveable female politician has
the heart, humanity, and insight to steer the world (not just the US) from the
brink of chaos and collapse. She is rehabilitating the image of the CIA and
real-life women politicians (especially in the wake of Hillary Clinton’s
numerous mishaps, especially in Libya).
The TV show has succeeded in offering viewers a
modern-day version of American omnipotence through a feminist figure that
encapsulates the spirit and agenda of the “leaders of the free world”, a phrase
that is mentioned repeatedly in the course of the show’s six seasons.
We do not have to mimic the American experience to
the letter, but we need morale-building rooted in our unique story as a nation.
Jordan needs experienced and insightful strategists
who understand psychology and morale and know how to change public perceptions
through art, film, television, theater, advertisement, design, and other
communication tools.
Optimism cannot happen organically or on its own; it
needs motivational leaders and storytellers who know how to inspire a
chronically demoralized nation to believe in itself and its future.
Ruba Saqr has reported on the environment, worked in the
public sector as a communications officer, and served as managing editor of a
business magazine, spokesperson for a humanitarian INGO, and as head of a PR
agency.
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