Razzle, dazzle ‘em
Picture of musical actors pointing to a neon sign that says “Chicago”
My wife and I had the surprise opportunity to watch the musical Chicago at Popejoy thanks to a friend who couldn’t use their tickets. I had no idea what I was getting into. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the message and the use of humor to tackle difficult topics. It’s a thought provoking, dark satire with powerful messages that I expect to be pertinent for years to come (which I’m sure contributes to being a running Broadway show since 1975).
Chicago is inspired by the true stories of two women in the 1920s who both killed their lovers which led to sensational news reporting. Interesting to note, the journalist who covered both their crimes wrote a play about them with the same name which then later inspired the musical.
I’m going to hone in now and reflect on a song from the musical - Razzle, Dazzle by Richard Gere - here’s a portion of it:
“Give 'em the old razzle dazzle
Razzle dazzle 'em
Give 'em a show that's so splendiferous
Row after row will crow vociferous
Give 'em the old flim flam flummox
Fool and fracture 'em
How can they hear the truth above the roar?”
On the surface, it shows the sad reality that someone can get away with anything if the crowd or jury is “dazzled.” But I think it points to an even deeper sociology about how people are influenced into believing something that isn’t true.
If a society gets “razzled” enough then not only can an individual get away with murder*, but they can get away with killing entire people groups. Such “dazzling” has happened to the point that some people were no longer considered people.
This is not just something in the past, but happens right here in the “land of the free.” In fact, big corporations are masters of using “the old hocus pocus” all the time. If enough money is invested into something then with enough fantastic commercials, movies, social media posts, billboards, popstar buy in, etc. people tend to stop caring about whether something is true or not.
The ultimate and evil “bamboozle” is convincing the populace that a human life doesn’t matter - that a certain life isn’t worth living - that either they or we would be better off if they didn’t exist. Of course they use “three ring circus” techniques like euphemisms, name calling, vague claims to “rights” and “justice” and “freedom,” plus good ol’ heart wrenching stories. Multiple examples of this kind of “stun and stagger” are coming to mind both from history and in our current day.
Two stars if Chicago with a glittery gold background.
Being part of Inhora prompts me to mention one: physician assisted suicide (AKA medical aid in dying MAID). Here’s why I think it’s a “flim flam flummox”:
There is a lot of “first world” wealth pouring into MAID campaigns.
Rather than investing in helping people live and have access to care and to food, it's easier and cheaper to help people end their lives. Here’s how the wealthy 1% are benefiting:
Less specialist appointments
More open hospital beds
Less medications for symptom management
Less staff hours for care
Less investment in hospice & palliative care
Less pharmaceutical cost - one medication, one time
Instead of many meds with refills over time to treat symptoms
People in NM can get medical aid in dying faster than an Amazon package delivery.
It feeds on ableism, fear, and the tyrannical it’s-my-life-and-I-can-do-what-I-want attitude (what about our interconnectedness and our evolutionary need for one another?).
Pop culture is telling people that they are weak and needy and simply “can’t endure” such and such - sometimes in the name of “quality of life.”
Influencers and actors are making it trendy.
Orwellian use of words that change what MAID actually is: suicide - which is what happens when someone drinks the pharmaceutical concoction.
It’s simply untrue at that point that a disease or natural process was responsible for their death.
As far as I know, Inhora is the only voice that is not going with the flow and is willing to put itself out there to ask people to pause and think. We can’t help but speak up. This is literally killing people. We’re not going to be “razzle dazzled.”