The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already of old time, which was before us.
~Ecclesiastes
When Living Colour released "Cult of Personality" in 1988, I am not sure if they knew the power that their song could and would yield. The song, which quickly became one of my favorites (and still is), was about the attraction that America, and even the world, has to charismatic leaders.
If you are not familiar with the song,
I believe that revisiting this song right now has considerable significance. In our world dominated that is dominated by social media, 24-hour news cycles, and powerful political movements, the concept of the cult of personality is more pertinent than ever.
While I have understood the song since 1988, I admit that I had to do some research to find its origin.
At its core, a cult of personality arises when an individual or movement is elevated to an almost mythical status, where the followers’ allegiance becomes more about the person or the idea than about the principles or actions involved. This phenomenon isn’t new—historical figures like Mussolini and Stalin, as referenced in Living Colour’s song, are classic examples. However, in the modern era, this dynamic has taken on new dimensions, influenced by psychological factors and amplified by media. I believe I saw this in Ferguson as peaceful, caring people got caught up in just a few voices and suddenly became a violent mob. I also believe that we are all seeing this on a much larger and more frightening scale with the pro-Palestinian protestors, Trump, Harris, BLM and even Antifa.
One of the psychological implications is the concept of cognitive dissonance, where individuals experience discomfort when holding conflicting beliefs or when new information challenges their established worldview. To alleviate this discomfort, they may double down on their beliefs or reject contrary evidence, further entrenching themselves in the cult of personality.
Example:
The initial news report says that a white police officer gunned down an unarmed black teen. The community is immediately angry and begins to plan a protest. As the protest begins, news and video is released showing that the teen had a gun. The protest now takes a new twist and rapidly becomes about the community itself and how young people are forced to protect themselves and that the officer shot without warning. As the protests turn to riots, more evidence is released showing that the young man was robbing a store at gunpoint and had a history of violent behavior. Nothing changes within the ranks of the rioters. When the officer is found to have acted accordingly and cleared of any charges, the protests and riots now grow because he was found innocent.
At some point in that timeline, the charismatic portrayal became more “truthful” than the truth.
Another critical psychological factor is in-group bias, where individuals strongly favor the group they identify with, often leading to a polarized 'us vs. them' mentality. This can make followers more susceptible to charismatic leaders who promise to protect or advance their group’s interests, even at the expense of rational judgment.
One modern example of the cult of personality is the figure of Donald Trump. This subject is one of frustration for me as it is free of logic. I say that without bias and without trying to influence any of you one way or another. His presidency and the surrounding discourse have led to what some have termed "Trump Derangement Syndrome" (TDS). While not a clinically recognized disorder, TDS is often used to describe extreme emotional responses to Trump—whether they are obsessive support or intense opposition (I told you this was unbiased!).
Supporters often view Trump as a savior figure, whose unorthodox style is seen as a necessary disruption to a corrupt system. On the other hand, detractors may see him as an embodiment of everything wrong with modern America, attributing to him almost apocalyptic consequences. The intense polarization around Trump showcases how a single figure can evoke such strong, divergent psychological reactions, turning political support or opposition into a near-religious fervor.
It is not just Trump. We are now living in a day that Living Colour prophecied about.
Similar to Trump, movements like Antifa and Black Lives Matter (BLM) can also be analyzed through the lens of the cult of personality. These movements, though different in their origins and goals, both evoke strong psychological reactions.
Antifa, short for "anti-fascist," has been characterized by its militant opposition to what it sees as fascism or far-right extremism. The movement attracts individuals who are deeply committed to resisting authoritarianism, often through direct action. However, this commitment can sometimes lead to the glorification of violence as a necessary means to an end, creating an 'ends justify the means' mentality among its most ardent supporters. This kind of thinking can be psychologically damaging, as it reinforces extreme behaviors and insulates the group from outside criticism or even reality. We have watched and heard Antifa as they act to make their collective heard; messaging they want the world to hear, yet we have that group mercilessly beat a reporter putting their message out for them.
Black Lives Matter, on the other hand, emerged as a response to systemic racism and police brutality. America is in need of a group with such values and concerns, but as the movement has grown into a powerful force for social change, it can also be justifiably as now overly radical or divisive if not even violent at times. Supporters of BLM are often deeply connected to the cause on a personal level, viewing it as a moral imperative. However, the intense emotional investment in the movement can sometimes lead to a resistance to dialogue or compromise, as any perceived opposition is seen as an attack on fundamental values and many babies are thrown out with the bath water.
It was 1988 when the song was written by an oddity- an all black rock band. That in itself lends humor to this revisiting. The modern cult of personality, whether centered on a political figure like Trump or on movements like Antifa and BLM, has profound psychological implications. The deep emotional investment in these figures and causes has lead to a cycle of polarization, where individuals have become increasingly insulated in their beliefs, resistant to outside perspectives, and more prone to extreme actions.
In the America we used to know, insulation was nearly impossible with communities having risen out of post-war/cold-war neighborhoods where neighbors met at the mailbox and shook hands, invited each over for dinner and even shared vacations or block parties. What I believe pushed us into this new era was COVID-19. As we were forcibly insulated, we began to suffer from yet another disorder (yet to be named) that I am sure exists. We now have re-created the country and become insulated permanently. Despite walking the streets again and enjoying bars, nightclubs and restaurants, we are sheltering in place, trusting nobody and assuming anyone with the slightest rasp in their voice has the plague.
In-group bias and cognitive dissonance play significant roles in this cycle, driving people to double down on their beliefs and reject any information that might challenge their worldview. Different opinions are now sneezes and different ideals are hacking coughs. We hear them and we recoil into what we know and what keeps us feeling safe.
This phenomena has led our country into echo-chamber thinking, where only like-minded voices are heard, reinforcing and amplifying the cult of personality.
Living Colour’s "Cult of Personality" was a warning about the dangers of elevating leaders or ideas to an unassailable status, where charisma and personality overshadow principles and actions. Of course, just like it says in Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under the sun and as the song says, we have done this before, but today, as we navigate a world filled with powerful figures and movements that evoke deep psychological responses, the song’s message is more relevant than ever because I believe the stakes are even higher.
The cult of personality is a potent and dangerous force in 2024 America.
The song, written long before we did such damage, still challenges us to think critically about the figures we idolize and the causes we champion. Are we supporting them because of the principles they stand for, or are we caught up in the charisma and the rhetoric?
In a world where personality often “trumps” substance, Living Colour’s iconic track serves as a timeless reminder to keep our wits about us, to question more, and to resist the allure of the cult of personality.
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
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