Who Are We Without A Villain?

I don’t know about you, but it sure feels like America’s getting dangerously close to a boiling point. Regardless of your political persuasion, it seems like civility, decency, and compromise are off the table. We’re living in a time where everyone is angry and everyone else is to blame. Such is the way of polarization, that gift that keeps on giving—or perhaps, the curse that keeps on cursing. Something needs to change.

It seems like we’ve forgotten who we are unless we have a “them” to point fingers at. I’ve done it. You’ve done it. So here’s a question I’ve been pondering lately: Do we know who we are without the aid of our trusty scapegoats? I’m not really sure. So, let’s explore the murky waters of scapegoating and mimesis to see if we can see ourselves clearly—if only we can step outside our echo chambers.

Scapegoating 101

We’ve seen this show before on repeat. The one where each side of the political spectrum dazzles their tribe by juggling half-truths and performing logic-defying mental gymnastics. In one corner, we have the left, with their self-righteous bleeding hearts, and in the other, we have the right, clutching their pearls of victimhood. The plot is predictable, and nuance is nowhere to be found.

Which brings us to the concept of scapegoating—that ancient art of pinning all your problems on someone else. Originally, the phrase was coined in Leviticus, but its roots are as ingrained in humanity as our DNA. Pass the buck. Deflect the blame. Enjoy the catharsis of finding a convenient target to unload all our frustrations.

But why do we do this? What makes us so eager to find a villain in every situation?

Answers in Mimesis

René Girard’s theory of mimesis gives us a clue. Humans are natural imitators. We see we want, we mimic. This often leads to conflict, as we all scramble for the same shiny toys. To manage this conflict, we create archetypes of “good” and “bad,” casting ourselves as the heroes and anyone different as the villains. This age-old tactic keeps society neatly divided and everyone comfortably in their assigned roles and spaces.

The Identity Crisis Without “Them”

So, who are we without our scapegoats? It’s a question most of us avoid like the plague. Many of us define ourselves by what we oppose. Don’t believe me? Just scroll through your social media feed. It’s a sea of “I’m not like those people” posts and shares. But, strip away the scapegoats, and what’s left? Without our convenient enemies, we’re forced to confront the uncomfortable truth: our identities might be more fragile than we’d like to admit.

The Cost of Scapegoating

Scapegoating and polarization come with a hefty price tag. They prevent genuine self-reflection and growth while keeping us locked in a loop of ignorance and hostility. The “us vs. them” mentality is a roadblock to progress, ensuring we never really look in the mirror. Instead, we project our flaws onto others. It’s like trying to clean dirty windows by yelling at the neighbor’s house.

Our need to constantly define ourselves against an “other” means we never take the time to figure out who we are on our own terms. It stunts our personal and collective growth, trapping us in a perpetual state of stagnation.

Breaking Free from the Archetypes

So what do we do? How does one break out of the scapegoating cycle?

Well, it’s never easy, but always possible. Start by seeking out diverse perspectives and engaging in some good old-fashioned self-reflection. Embrace your curiosity. Ask yourself why you hold certain beliefs and whether they’re really your own. And maybe, just maybe, even consider talking to someone from “the other side” without the goal of converting them. Perhaps it might just open your eyes and lead us back to something resembling civility, authenticity, and a common humanity.