Manipulating one group into blaming another is the principal mechanism enabling a dominant elite to enjoy access to wealth and power without serious challenge. Like all previous societies able to produce surplus resources, modern American society has been profoundly shaped by a domination system — a legacy so deeply instilled that moving beyond it will be one of the greatest challenges we have ever faced.
Pitting one group against another can involve appeals to tradition identity markers such as race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin, or nontraditional identifies including gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, age, skin tone, body type, and immigration status.
By showing how blame is unjustified and unproductive and emphasizing our common humanity, Naturalistic Humanism offers an effective counter-narrative to tribalistic tropes and rationales for in-group favoritism.