The Mind of An Angry Mob

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The Mind of An Angry Mob.

An angry mob acts irrationally, bent on evil and with one voice able to do the most unimaginable.
It has killed collectively before and it will do so again if the law it has repeatedly trampled on won't take measures to curb it.

For reasons ranging from social issues to political, ethnic, and religious causes, a mob can be incited. When madness descends on a mob, it's affair with the people lasts so long if it takes an hour. Within a very short period, reasoning is suspended, the victim(s) receives justice meted out by embittered people who take the law into their hands.

Perhaps, the sad thing about jungle justice is the fact that the crowd is unable to reason at that point in time and is overwhelmed by emotions. This is often the reason every attempt to make the people see facts by the victim about to be lynched falls on deaf ears. It's in vain to appeal to logical reasoning, and the emotions in many cases. People tend to focus on how they feel than the emotions coursing through the soul of another. 

The lynching of a soul is maiming the law. It makes it lame. And sometimes, to survive, the law looks the other way. Yes, an angry mob has a grouse with the law and is set on setting it's own standard.  It won't yield to appeal to follow the due process of justice. This is why it's dangerous. Anyone could become a victim. Anyone who takes steps amiss could be a prey in the hands of those who tear the laws apart.

An angry mob can however be disarmed. This can be done by words. It's may sound simple, but words are potent enough to disarm a mob. There is no guarantee that every set of crowd will act in the same manner and the outcome is always unpredictable but a victim of collective wrath emanating from some large number of persons can with the wrong words SPEED UP  the process of his extra judicial punishment. If he can do so with wrong choice of words, the the right words may bail him out. As there is no guarantee to how a mob would behave, these set of people are the law enforcement personnel, and the judge at the same time. They are bent on evil always.

Every incited crowd has one mind. This is often the reason it gets away with evil. The people have a common purpose and intention, a common fear also with insecurity over similar matters. This are some of the things a man facing them can explore.

Here are simple steps that may help before a situation degenerates, getting out of hands.

Before the situation becomes volatile, a gentle answer will turn away wrath. Do not engage in heated arguments with a large number of people or the person of influence who may have incited the crowd.

Avoid being defensive. When the crowd is not clear about a matter and is quietly (though noisily) following the dictate of one or two persons that incite the rancour, give information. The more some persons in the crowd have enough reason to doubt, the better. This may not be possible if the victim in fear for his life becomes defensive, and fights back. It is one against all.

Prove your identity. Let your identity speak for you. It is ideal to carry and identity card to riot prone zones, environment where hoodlums, vigilante are liable to operate and other volatile areas with deep rooted social issues that may lead to confronting an angry mob. Speak more about your identity and avoid sounding condescending while at it. As at the time of writing this article, a recent occurrence was the tragic lynching of a military man who was mistaken for a robber. Moreso because he was wearing mufti and had a weapon on him while taking an early morning jog. Sadly, this young man was related to the former president of the nation where the incidence occurred.

In the face of a mistaken identity, do not attempt to make a phone call. Often, someone in the crowd may attempt to cease the device and the means of communication outside is truncated. Ask politely to use the phone of one of the persons that may have shown signs of reasoning with you to call in other to verify your identity. See to it that it's  stated clearly that the call will corroborate your story or claim. Do not call the authority. Tell the mob you want to call your loved one to help verify your identity. Ensure its a female at the other end of the line ,thereby appeal to the emotions of the crowd. Call your mother. Call your wife. Do not call a well connected friend. It may land you in trouble.

Remain calm. The survival instincts may hinder the chances of survival atimes. The need to escape and such attempt may foster more suspicion. (Though  if there's an opportunity it should be taken without looking back) Do not move too fast when walking with the crowd. One may attract undue attention.

If you're facing this situation in the company of a friend, or family, keep them closer. Hold hands. You may appeal to the emotions of the crowd if you hold the friend or acquaintance close. You might not be one given to expressing emotions freely on a usual day. But this time around, your non verbal means of communication will conflict with the perception of the crowd about you especially if it's in the face of a perceived crime.

Be firm, and maintain your claim. Do not be afraid of being intimidated. The crowd feels in control when it senses fear. Stating your claim firmly without changing your story gives credence to what you have said.

If you're being accused of one or two things by a person in the crowd, and you forsee them capable of taking laws into their hands. Be aware you're dealing with a number of people with no faith in the security agencies around them. Often, one of them will tell the others of the need not to inform authorities. Find a way to come to their side regarding the lack of trust in the authorities. Assure them you understand their fears and mistrust for the authorities. This may throw them off balance. Often, a mob chooses to take law into its own hands because they feel the judicial system would be unfair or that the victim they are facing has some connection with authorities that may lead to him walking free. Agreeing with them may disarm them that this belief applies to your case. Give enough reasons in such case to doubt what you're being accused of. Once you see a glint of doubt in someone's eye, explore the avenue. Direct the bulk of your communication to him and the main person of influence in the crowd.

Appealing to an angry crowd is facing the worst nightmare. It's the people against one no matter the number of the victims about to be lynched. This is a reason not to be aggressive with the crowd. Usually, there's temptation to embark on this route of aggression when the crowd behaves quite unreasonable.

A mob given to religious and ethnic sentiments have no personal grouse against you. This is why it seems sometimes difficult to address such people. There are deep rooted issues fuelling the crowd of which one might not be able to address. For an ethnic sentiment crowd, you may find a common thing you agree on and explore it. But for a religious crowd, there might just be none. Killing gives such a sense of service. This particular set of crowd has a swarm instinct. This is no time to exercise your freedom of speech. Avoid words that may ignite anger. Speak calmly. Let peace rule in your heart in the face of adversity.

Any man who survives an angry mob is able to surmount any mountain. Evidently, it takes more than sheer courage, and knowing what to say to tackle this. Luck doesn't save a man from an angry pack of his kind. It takes help from above. And if you believe in the existence of God, calling on him by muttering some prayers under your breath goes along way in dousing mass display of anger in a most unexplainable way. Help is rendered to save in the most unimaginable manner. Remember, a man murdered by a mob has no real murderer. It's hard for justice to prevail after such tragic event. Stay safe and avoid being in a volatile situation.

Teju Duru is a freelance journalist based in Ibadan

Share your tips on how to tackle an angry mob.

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