“This is not who we are” is not a literal statement. I wouldnt make any sense taken as one, since its used in response to news of actual events rather than hypotheticals, and if taken literally, it would be very similar to “I am not doing what I am currently doing” which is paradoxical.
Rather, it is a statement to others of ones group that their behavior is problematic and therefore that they should stop it, using an emotional appeal that invokes values those problematic members of the group are expected to profess to have.
I would read it more as a statement of privilege, personally.
someone saying such things and maintaining actual surprise at the actions of the US are only saying so bc they’ve never imagined they might be targeted.
“This is not who we are” is not a literal statement. I wouldnt make any sense taken as one, since its used in response to news of actual events rather than hypotheticals, and if taken literally, it would be very similar to “I am not doing what I am currently doing” which is paradoxical.
Rather, it is a statement to others of ones group that their behavior is problematic and therefore that they should stop it, using an emotional appeal that invokes values those problematic members of the group are expected to profess to have.
I would read it more as a statement of privilege, personally. someone saying such things and maintaining actual surprise at the actions of the US are only saying so bc they’ve never imagined they might be targeted.