Don’t Let Them Hook You

Bill Kipp, author of Turning Fear into Power, is an expert in personal self-defense. He conducts training seminars to teach people how to resist intimidation, and, if necessary to defend themselves physically. He maintains that not being intimidated, by itself, can often ward off an attack. Bullies generally prefer people they can easily scare and control.

To prevent intimidation, Kipp recommends one simple principle. No matter what an aggressor says, don’t let him “hook you” with his words. That is, don’t allow insults to make you fearful, sad, or excessively angry. If the aggressor can control your emotions, he will decide he can control you—and then up the ante with more aggression.

One thing that can prevent “hooking” is to understand what the aggressor is doing and the mean and insecure character that inclines him to do it. Another is to appreciate your own worth so that you are not overly moved by other people’s malice.

This analysis has much application to the controversy and debate on immigration. Mass immigration advocates many times practice the crassest verbal bullying. One of their favorite gambits is the cry of “racist.” All too often the unsuspecting immigration restrictionist is immediately hooked, usually by going on the defensive with the plea “I’m not a racist, and here’s why. . . .” When you concede any legitimacy to the bully’s abuse, the bully has you hooked and is ready to reel you in.

Don’t let this happen by ignoring the charge and reframing the debate. For example, state what you are: a responsible American patriot who wants to prevent the racial, cultural and political strife that massive diversity will inflict on our country. Take your stand as a moderate and responsible citizen who supports social peace and harmony.

Then switch to the offensive. Ask your accuser why there are so many organizations on his side like the National Council of La Raza (the Race) which blatantly promote lawlessness and special benefits for their particular group with the transparent goal of giving it political clout over other groups. Ask your accuser if he throws a race card at you to hide the one he is playing himself.

You also might raise the question of who benefits when mass immigration without assimilation increases racial and ethnic tensions. Could it possibly be, for instance, that politically correct radical leftists want a fractured society in order to offer totalitarian government (run by them) as a “solution” to the chaos? They play the race card too, but again, question their motives—and don’t let them hook you.

Another hook immigrationists often use is snobbery.  They like to intimidate by using insults, such as “ignorant red-neck,” “know-nothing” and “bigot,” thereby proclaiming their self-claimed intellectual superiority. Once again, consider the source. If these bullies are indeed such intellectuals, you would think that they might come up occasionally with some thoughtful arguments for immigration instead of their standard fare of personal insults and maudlin sentimentality about huddled masses and nations of immigrants.

Go on the offensive and reply: “Maybe I lack your Poisoned Ivy League degrees, but I do have something most uncommon on your campuses—which is common sense. Now for the record, let’s see clearly the utter stupidity of allowing immigration to turn our country into an overcrowded, balkanized Third World America.”

Readers, please feel free to think up your own anti-bully replies. Use your imagination and have fun. Mockery is a splendid weapon against rhetorical thugs. But whatever you do, don’t let them hook you.