A psychotherapist observed a curious pattern at the “No Kings” rallies: a disproportionate presence of educated women. Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based practitioner, initially noted this trend last fall, unknowingly describing a demographic often referred to as Affluent White Female Liberals.
Now, these rallies are resurfacing, poised to repeat a demonstration with unclear objectives beyond a sustained expression of discontent with a former presidency. Participants plan to gather publicly, displaying signs and voicing slogans that, to some, lack substantive meaning.
Alpert revisited the phenomenon, characterizing these protests as a form of “bad group therapy.” He argues that the rallies aren’t about productive discourse, but rather a collective need for emotional validation.
During a previous rally, Alpert engaged a participant who proudly displayed a sign. When he cautiously offered a positive view of some policies enacted during the previous administration, he was met with immediate, hostile rejection.
The “No Kings” slogan itself is a provocative claim, suggesting a descent into tyranny within a nation founded on the rejection of monarchical rule. This framing, Alpert suggests, isn’t a reflection of reality, but a shift in how political disagreement is perceived – as a battle between victims and villains.
The United States, despite its imperfections, remains a democracy built on competing interests. However, exaggerating the political landscape elevates the emotional intensity, transforming typical conflict into a more absolute and psychologically comforting narrative.
Alpert draws a parallel to his work in psychotherapy, where he’s observed a growing tendency to treat feelings as definitive truths rather than signals for self-examination. Discomfort is increasingly externalized, with blame readily projected onto others.
This mindset isn’t confined to therapy sessions; it’s infiltrating political life. The “No Kings” rallies provide a framework that prioritizes affirmation over critical thinking, offering a simplified moral narrative of right and wrong.
The rallies echo a broader trend of political expression functioning as emotional release. Some have described late-night talk show monologues as “group therapy for liberals,” and these protests represent a similar impulse – a need to *do* something, anything, to alleviate feelings of powerlessness.
For those participating, the act of protesting may be less about achieving political change and more about coping with the realization that their views are not widely shared and their voices are not necessarily being heard.
Ultimately, the rallies may serve as a public demonstration of a deeply felt sense of disenfranchisement, a collective attempt to find solace in shared outrage rather than engage in genuine dialogue.
