Identities and Conspiracies

Thoughts.

Since Whites are not allowed to have a positive racial identity, and since those types of identities are important for the mental well-being of the individual and the social well-being of the group, people denied these identities desperately search for substitutes. This to a large degree explains why Whites cling so ardently to political identities (e.g., conservatism vs. SJW wokeism) and also to conspiracy theories, anti-vaxxism, etc. This also explains why these people are so invested in their beliefs and are so aggressive in defending those beliefs – an attack on those beliefs is perceived (even if unconsciously) as an attack on their identity, an attack on them as a person.

By the way, in many cases, the System does allow for some degree of positive ethnic identities for Whites. That also applies to religion - religious identities are allowed.  And yet that does not satisfy the need for identity among White Americans, who, as stated, desperately cling to the alternative identities described above. This strongly suggests that, in the American context, racial identity is necessary; ethnic identities are not enough (which is not surprising given that most White Americans are of mixed European ethnicity and that the major demographic dividing line in America is race, not ethnicity). Religion is not enough either; again, race is the major dividing line, re: demographics, and so forms the foundation of meaningful identity.  

With respect to conspiracies, another reason why people cling to conspiracy theories so ardently is that it is easier and safer to focus on something false, esoteric, and bizarre, as opposed to facing the painful realities that exist, and doing the hard, sometimes dangerous, work required to effectively address real problems.