Psychology
Lateral Violence and Intra-Ethnic Conflict Within Marginalized Communities
Quick fact
Lateral violence is so common in marginalized communities that it has a name—terms like 'crab mentality' or 'horizontal hostility' capture how members of a group may undermine each other's success, even when they share a common struggle.
Why this is interesting
You've probably seen it happen: a group that faces discrimination from the outside ends up bickering or lashing out at itself. Why do the oppressed sometimes turn on each other instead of uniting?
Read the full explanation
Understanding Lateral Violence and Intra-Ethnic Conflict Within Marginalized Communities
Imagine you're in a small boat that's being battered by waves from a giant ship. You can't fight the ship, so you might start snapping at the person next to you, blaming them for water getting in. Lateral violence works the same way. When a group faces systemic oppression—poverty, discrimination, or lack of political power—the anger that can't be safely directed 'up' at the oppressor often gets redirected 'sideways'. This can show up as gossip, bullying, undermining others' success, or feuds within the community. It's a way of regaining a sense of control, even if it's destructive. But why does it happen? Psychological research suggests that when people feel powerless, they may cope by tearing down others who are as powerless as they are, because doing so feels safer than confronting the real source of their suffering. This is especially true when group norms have been broken down by trauma. In short, lateral violence is a symptom of unresolved anger and frustration, not a cause of conflict.
A deeper explanation
The mechanism behind lateral violence lies in the intersection of power, identity, and trauma. First, systemic oppression creates a power imbalance: the marginalized group has little control over their lives and may be denied opportunities for advancement. This leads to what psychologists call 'learned helplessness'—a belief that efforts to improve are futile. Second, when individuals internalize the negative stereotypes that the dominant group holds, they may develop low self-esteem and self-hatred. This internalized oppression can then be turned outward onto members of their own group, a process known as 'horizontal hostility'. Third, historical trauma—such as colonialism, slavery, or genocide—can leave deep psychological scars that are passed down through generations. One response to such trauma is to seek a sense of agency by asserting dominance over someone even more vulnerable within the group. These forces together create a feedback loop: conflict within the group weakens social cohesion, which in turn reduces the group's ability to challenge the external oppression, which then reinforces feelings of powerlessness. This is why lateral violence is so damaging: it doesn't just hurt individuals, it undermines the collective strength of the community. Is it inevitable? No. When communities recognize the pattern and understand its roots, they can break the cycle through healing practices, alliance-building, and political organizing. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for anyone working with marginalized groups—whether in social work, education, or policy—to avoid blaming the victims and instead address the systemic roots.