"هدف الداعية هو جعل مجموعة من الناس تنسى أن مجموعات أخرى من الناس هم بشر."

This quote gets right to the heart of what propaganda is all about—distorting the truth to strip away humanity from others. It’s about how certain groups use propaganda to dehumanize others, making them easier to mistreat, ignore, or attack. When we stop seeing people as human, we stop feeling empathy for them. So, the core idea here is that propaganda’s endgame is to break down our natural inclination to see everyone as equals, as people with feelings, dreams, and rights.

Historically, this concept has been central to many dark chapters in human history. Think about the way Nazi propaganda worked in World War II. The Nazis used all sorts of media to portray Jewish people as subhuman, as pests or diseases that needed eradication. It was a calculated effort to make the broader population forget the humanity of millions of people. This is not just ancient history, though. Even today, political leaders and movements sometimes use similar tactics to demonize immigrants, minorities, or opposing ideologies, portraying them as threats rather than humans with unique stories and struggles.

Let's bring it down to a real-life example—imagine a schoolyard. There’s a new kid, a little different from the rest. Maybe they’ve just moved from another country. Now, one of the more popular kids starts spreading rumors. "Did you hear that the new kid eats weird food and talks funny? They probably don’t even understand what we’re saying. They’re so strange." Pretty soon, the new kid is isolated, sitting alone at lunch, ignored during recess. It’s so much easier to exclude them once others start to see them as less than human—just a set of odd behaviors rather than a person.

How can we apply this wisdom in everyday life? Start by questioning the narratives we’re fed, especially those that seem designed to divide us. When you hear a sweeping generalization about a group of people, take a step back. Think critically. Ask yourself, “Why is this being said? Who benefits if I believe this?” Engage directly with those who are being marginalized. Listen to their stories. Share meals, experiences, conversations. Recognize their humanity, their individual struggles and joys. It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing others as ‘the other,’ but it’s also possible to break free from that by consciously choosing empathy.

Imagine you’re at work and there’s that one colleague who everyone seems to have an issue with. Maybe they’re from a different cultural background and there's some gossip about how they’re not a good team player or always late. Instead of joining the chorus of complaints, you decide to chat with them. You find out that they’ve been facing a tough family situation and are juggling a lot more than anyone knew. Suddenly, they’re not just “that difficult colleague”—they’re a person with a story, someone trying their best in a tough spot. Just this little bit of understanding can start to shift the atmosphere in the office. Maybe others will follow your lead, maybe not. But you’ve made a start in seeing the humanity where others were starting to miss it.

So next time you catch a whiff of propaganda—whether it’s in the news, at school, at work, or anywhere—pause for a moment. Challenge yourself to see beyond the surface. Remember that behind every caricature, there’s a complex human being who deserves to be seen and heard. And maybe, just maybe, that small act of recognition can start to change the world around you.