Reply #57: A very troubling question [View All]

It's impossible to know each and every element to this self-reinforcing isolation, but understanding enough of it to confront the problem in any effective way is and will be crucial to prevent what looks to be shaping up as national division. If it gets worse without being confronted, it is not impossible for it to lead to another civil war in the future.

The Southern/"Conservative" media heads are already arousing the same anger that opposed the Union during the last civil war - "them" vs "us"

About sense of self..
In the absence of adequate education, and the encouragment of introspection of feeling, self-identity can only be constructed through external achievement or ideology, "belonging."

Throughout history there's always been a "warrior class" (Samurai, for example) who forge their self-worth and social identity through violent conflict.

Education and a strong job-based economy are parts of that leverage yes.