"America’s angriest white men: Up close with racism, rage and Southern supremacy"

[GreenEyedLefty]

4. It's easy to develop irrational hatreds when one lives in relative isolation

I mean, if you never met a Jewish or African American person because you live in an area that is so remote as to not even be considered an "exurb," it's easy to hate them as a whole group. It's clear to me that it's easier to justify hating "the other," than to ponder the racial makeup of who ultimately wrought the economic misfortunes upon them.

My MIL rails against "the blacks" and "the Mexicans" and any other group that she perceives as having been given preferential treatment by the government. She thinks that their supposed advantages automatically put her and her family at a disadvantage. Totally irrational. But I do think there is a kernel of truth there... the government does give preferential treatment. To corporations, to Wall Street, corporate media, etc., who in turn create smoke and mirrors by ginning up stories of welfare/food stamp cheats, affirmative action "injustices" against white people, etc. And they know "the base" will buy it.