We are tribal people
The recent images of people around the world, even in Canada, demonstrating with hateful speech and violence towards others of different beliefs or cultures is very disturbing. There may be reasons for the polarization of groups who communicate with hostility rather than dialogue, whether they are ugly expressions of discontent, perceived disfranchisement or, more likely, racial prejudice.
It is important to understand the reasons why dislike of others leads to aggression. Perhaps the extensive media coverage of demonstrators encourages belligerent behaviour. Perhaps the chat between the like-minded in their particular social media bubble amplifies hateful and extreme feelings. But perhaps the cause has more to do with an innate human condition rather than modern media phenomena.
From the earliest times humans have been naturally tribal, living in groups, from the huntergatherers around their fire-lit cave, to the farmers in their village, to the chiefdoms to the kingdoms and, after thousands of years, to today’s nation states, each with its predominant ethnicity, culture and language.
For our early ancestors, the approach of strangers provoked fear and hostility. It was selfpreservation since intentions were often to rob and kill, when fighting between tribes was common (as it is today). Over eons of conflict these biases became entrenched, with people, even unconsciously, favouring those with the same physical features, way of life or language, people with whom they feel comfortable, known as “social identification.”
We do not now fear strangers as did our primitive ancestors. Today it’s more a fear of a particular social fabric so carefully woven with such difficulties over the decades, becoming unraveled, a fear of change, of being overwhelmed, or fear of disturbing a familiar life.
How do we deal with negative feelings towards other races? It may help to look to the past for insights as to what makes us tick; perhaps to acknowledge that these feelings lie deep within our psyche, feelings that need to be addressed by open discussion (even in schools), and a willingness to reach beyond casual accusations of tribalism (racism). Government cannot legislate the acceptance of different cultures, but has an important duty to welcome others, assist in their integration and demonstrate that their inclusion benefits and enriches society. Canada does this best, with its policies of diversity and tolerance.
Changing attitudes takes time, but since we are better educated, hopefully not the millennia it has taken to get where we are today. Life free of tribalism is not without possibility.