Dehumanisation

/ˌdiːhjuːmənɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The process of removing human qualities from someone; treating people as things rather than persons with dignity and rights.

Etymology

From dehumanise (British spelling) + -ation. De- (remove) + human + -ise (make) + -ation (noun). Used especially in British English.

Kelly Says

Historians warn that dehumanisation of an enemy group is the dangerous first step before atrocities—if you stop seeing people as fully human, terrible things become possible.

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