The Scapegoat

The Scapegoat’s Burden: Rejection, Politics and the Path to Success

Scapegoating, as old as civilisation itself, is the act of singling out an individual or group to bear blame for problems they did not create. Rooted in historical ritual and embedded in modern society, it has transcended cultural boundaries to become a tool of division, cruelty and misguided resolution. At its core lies rejection – a visceral act that wounds both the psyche and the soul. Yet, for some, bearing this unjust burden offers a path to transcendence, a chance to turn victimhood into victory.

The Politics of Scapegoating

Scapegoating is not merely a familial or social phenomenon; it is a weapon of power and control. From ancient rituals where a goat was symbolically laden with sin and cast into the wilderness, to the witch hunts of the medieval era, scapegoating has always served to consolidate group unity creating an ‘other’. ‘When the scapegoat is expelled, the group achieves a false sense of purification – its members relieved of their shared anxieties, but never addressing the root causes of their unrest.

In modern politics, scapegoating is wielded with alarming precision. Ethnic groups, immigrants and the marginalised are often vilified as the source of societal problems – crime, unemployment or cultural decline. Leaders leverage fear, directing public frustration toward these groups to distract from systemic failures. The scapegoat becomes a lightening rod, absorbing anger that might otherwise target the true architects of inequality and corruption.

This process reinforces the cycle of power and powerlessness, protecting those in control while entrancing the scapegoat in a web of rejection and blame. It is a phenomenon that perpetuates itself, passed down like a dark legacy through families, communities and nations.

The Willing Victim

There is a profound complexity in the concept of the willing victim. Some individuals, marked as scapegoats early in life, internalise their role to survive. A child labelled as the ‘problem’ in a family learns to expect blame and absorb it silently, believing that their pain preserves the fragile unity of their household. In society, the willing victim may adopt their imposed role to avoid greater harm.

But willingness is not the same as consent. This acquiescence is a survival mechanism, not an embrace of the injustice. The willing victim is not weak – they are strategic, enduring rejection to protect themselves or others. However, this endurance comes at a cost, often eroding self-esteem and instilling deep feelings of inadequacy.

Rejection and the Cycle of Scapegoating

At the heart of scapegoating is rejection, a primal wound that cuts to the very core of identity. To be scapegoated is to be cast out, deemed unworthy of belonging. Whether in families or larger societal groups, rejection is a force that isolates and dehumanises.

Rejection feeds the cycle of scapegoating. Families may designate one member as the black sheep to maintain the illusion of harmony among the rest. Similarly, societies scapegoat minorities to preserve a false sense of cultural or national purity. In both cases, the rejected party becomes the dumping ground for collective fears, frustrations and insecurities.

This rejection breeds resentment and mistrust, fracturing relationships and communities. It also fosters shame and self-loathing in the scapegoat, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. The rejected becomes alienated and alienation is used as proof of their undesirability

Scapegoating on the Global Stage

On the global platform, scapegoating takes on monumental proportions. Ethnic groups are demonized in propaganda campaigns, refugees and treated as threats and entire nations are branded as villains. These narratives serve to justify oppression, war and exclusion, often perpetuated by those who benefit from division.

Consider how history repeats itself: the Holocaust, apartheid, the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, or the vilification of Muslims in the post -9/11 era. These are not isolated incidents but manifestations of a deeper pattern- scapegoating as a means to assert dominance and suppress dissent.

From Victimhood to Victory

Despite its devastating effects, scapegoating does not have to define its victims. The path from victimhood to victory lies in reclaiming agency and refusing to accept imposed roles. This journey requires immense strength and resilience but is profoundly transformative.

Victory begins with recognition- understanding that rejection and blame are a reflection of others’ fears, not one’s worth. It involves seeking solidarity with others who have faced similar injustices, creating a network of support and empowerment. On a societal level, change comes through awareness and education, exposing the mechanisms of scapegoating and challenging its narratives.

To overcome scapegoating is to reject victimhood entirely. It is to stand as proof that rejection cannot destroy inherent dignity or potential. It is to transform pain into purpose, using one’s experiences to inspire change and advocate for justice.

A Call to Awareness

Scapegoating thrives in silence and ignorance. To dismantle it, we must confront its roots in rejection, fear and power Families must stop casting their pain onto one member and societies must reject the politics of division. On the global stage, we must stand against propaganda that dehumanises and divides.

The scapegoat’s burden is heavy, but it can be lifted. By exposing the truth and embracing solidarity, we can turn the tide, transforming victims into victors and reclaiming the humanity we all share.