Legacies of hate and bitterness

[IronBrig4]

In the American South, a sizeable number of people pass on hatred through their children, usually directed towards the Northern states. They claim that the generations of bitterness are part of their families' "heritage." The same thing goes for some Native American and black families, who encourage their descendants to distrust the "white man" and to purposefully fail in academics. I'm sure that much of this backwards tribalism is not exclusive to the United States, since much of this despicable spreading of hate can be found in the Balkans and Eastern Europe.

My question is, what's the point to all this? What conceivable purpose is there in raising generation after generation in such a manner? It's the most loathsome thing my mind can conceive. It's one thing to bear a grudge for something that happened in your lifetime, but it's inexcusable and positively revolting to encourage your kids to take up the cause of bigotry.

[bdh]

In the American South, a sizeable number of people pass on hatred through their children, usually directed towards the Northern states. They claim that the generations of bitterness are part of their families' "heritage." The same thing goes for some Native American and black families, who encourage their descendants to distrust the "white man" and to purposefully fail in academics. I'm sure that much of this backwards tribalism is not exclusive to the United States, since much of this despicable spreading of hate can be found in the Balkans and Eastern Europe.

My question is, what's the point to all this? What conceivable purpose is there in raising generation after generation in such a manner? It's the most loathsome thing my mind can conceive. It's one thing to bear a grudge for something that happened in your lifetime, but it's inexcusable and positively revolting to encourage your kids to take up the cause of bigotry.

That is certianly an interesting perspective to say the least: that even 'merited' bigotry is also unjustified since hate in all forms is destructive.
I guess the problem is that people often embrace their status as being a victim in order to justify their own condition. 'After all, it isn't my fault, its theres!' It could go on to the next generation because the parents problems can also be passed onto the children. So the children then 'merit' the hatred toward the source of the discomfort.

[Sam]

I believe it's just a part of the human desire for a group identity, 'us vs. them'. It's the root of most conflict in the world, and manifests itself in the form of religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, followed sports teams, favourite video games, you name it, it's there.

I'm not sure why people desire group identity, perhaps it's a left over survival mechanism?

[Legio XX Valeria Victrix]

It's an interesting phenomena, and I think it exists mostly because, although everyone decries it, human being absolutley thrive on conflict, armed or otherwise. We love drama. Why do you think there are thousands of us on this very site simply for the purpose of engaging in arguments?

I think the processes you describe above are manifestations of that. People love conflict, and they love to be the victims because then they can elicit sympathy from others.

The South is a great example. These are people who, though they haven't completely rewritten the historical record of the Civil War, have nearly whitewashed their culpability in the issue amongst themselves and even some Northerners, and shifted the blame to the North and Lincoln. And they still have the gall to walk around acting like victims.

I agree with IronBrig, it is ridiculous, but there are plenty of psychological reasons why people do it.

[Britisocialist]

I have a racist friend. Guess where they got it from? That's right the parents.

His parents encourage him to make me and his other friends racist

It's tha same with another homophobic friend oof mine

[Jesus The Inane]

I think the parents have a hope that one day they'll have their day... that one day they'll have the opportunity to make a wrong a right, and surely enough their kids shall help them with it.