How harmful ideologies can use discrimination for malevolent ends

When we hear the word discrimination, we are inclined to associate it with the negative treatment of a person or group based on their beliefs, gender, ideology, skin color, or economic status. Those who feel discriminated against tend to receive attention and sympathy from others for the injustice they have suffered. This attention can empower the discriminated against and make them feel that they have the right to stand up for themselves. But are they always discriminated against, or are there cases in which the idea of discrimination is used—sometimes strategically—by, for example, harmful ideologies to serve hidden agendas?

How harmful ideologies exploit the concept of discrimination

Ideologies are a combination of doctrines, beliefs, values, and narratives that drive people’s behavior. The relationship between discrimination and ideology is complex and often misused to justify harmful intentions.

In our society, there are many ideologies, and not all coexist peacefully. Some lead us to harm ourselves and others. They claim to have the truth, whether it is about a god, the origin of life, or the afterlife, and become deeply rooted in people’s minds. Their advocates often tend to impose their truths on those who follow other ideologies or have no ideologies at all. From kidnapping souls to limiting human rights, to conquering territories, ideologies seem to be often used to gain power, prestige, and money at all costs and by any means.

Next to using force, representatives of ideologies utilize their extensive knowledge of human psychology and their creativity to achieve their goals. Even words like discrimination become a weapon in the hands of those engaging in ideological manipulation—not in the sense we all know, but as a way to gain power by distorting meaning. People can use it to put themselves in a state of victimhood when in reality, they are not victims. To realize nefarious plans, they take advantage of others’ willingness to be honest and fair by making them appear to be discriminatory.

How does this work? Simple. An ideology disguised as “respectful” enters a foreign area. Without using force immediately, this ideology creeps into the culture they are the guests of in ways that seem reasonable. Once they have established themselves, the representatives and followers of the harmful ideology can begin to unfold their plans by, for example, making the host feel guilty for asking too many questions or for having difficulty in accepting values that conflict with the host’s values.

In this way, the guest accuses the host of discriminating against them in an attempt to circumvent laws and rules that form the foundation of the host’s way of life. And because the host has a tolerant, inclusive, and impartial mentality, they fall into the trap. Blinded by a naïve sense of goodness and by not seeing the danger behind the ideology, the host complies, putting their well-being and freedom at risk.

By citing “discrimination,” the guest can make others feel guilty, apologize, and adjust to their ideology. In this way, a malevolent ideology spreads its poison, killing its host.

This has always happened, and it is still happening. It isn’t limited to global events but also occurs locally. It can happen in your life, both personal and professional.

We can think of dictatorships like the one in Italy under Mussolini. He promised better living conditions, but the use of violence was necessary to achieve that. Violence was elevated to something supreme to justify its use. Christianity is also a good example of how an ideology can harm people. For thousands of years, Christians have killed in the name of their god of love, and then shifted to a more subtle way of keeping people under control.

Another example is a pseudoscientific theory called Scientific Racism. This theory emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries and was centered around the racial superiority of white Europeans. Based on physical measurements and biased interpretations of evolution and genetics, it was used to justify colonialism, slavery, and segregation.These are examples of toxic belief systems that have shaped history through violence, control, or distorted truths.

There are still ideologies that hold people in a state of fear, making them easy to manipulate. Research on the sociocognitive processes of ideological obsession highlights how certain belief systems can impair judgment and increase vulnerability to manipulation, especially when individuals lack a strong sense of self or critical awareness. And so many people fall into the trap. But not all. For those free spirits who want to think with their own minds, feel with their own hearts, and choose healthy and sane behaviors, what can we do to avoid being affected by harmful ideologies and protect ourselves and our children?

First of all, we should be aware of who and what we allow into our lives, whether it’s our private life, our business, our community, or our country. That’s the first step to protect against harmful ideologies that seek to manipulate or control us. Being good doesn’t mean being stupid. It means that you prevent harm. Informing ourselves of what we are about to accept is a prerequisite for maintaining safety. If we feel uncomfortable, perhaps we should reflect on that because we may be tolerating something, that is, allowing someone or something that we wouldn’t naturally invite into our lives.

In order to understand whether an ideology is truly harmful, we must liberate ourselves from inner filters. These are perspectives that stem from the damaging influence of family and from the System’s narratives.

They impair our capacity to tell good from evil and right from wrong, with the result that we might end up fighting against, belonging to, or accepting something malevolent. If we already have the sensibility to feel when something is wrong, we must act upon it. Ideologies are beneficial when they add value to our lives, help us thrive, and guide us toward real freedom and well-being. Not when they tell us how to feel, think, and behave, and deprive us of our humanity. Sovereignty is the ultimate achievement that an ideology should lead us toward, not slavery.

We shouldn’t negotiate our healthy values and norms, nor put our lives and our children’s lives at risk. We should think of the consequences of our actions before we act. We should overcome the fear of saying NO to someone or something that harms us. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t fit.

People fall into the trap of harmful ideologies because they lack self-love and their own identity. If we want to protect our humanity and our children’s, it’s our responsibility to drop the veil of naivete.

Learn to love yourself.