Originally Published in Madras Courier
Editorial Note
Dehumanisation not only morally excludes the dehumanised but also the dehumaniser, eventually, into a trap of cognitive dissonance and moral quandary.
Metaphors have been an intrinsic part of human cognition and expression since the birth of civilisations and the formation of languages in all cultures. While metaphors have accentuated some of the most exquisite poetry and prose over millennia, they were employed deftly and premeditatedly to dehumanise and debase fellow human beings.