“If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you. Give him someone to blame and he’ll suck your dick and finger your bunghole.”
― Lyndon B. Johnson
As Jane Elliot's Blue Eye/Brown Eye exercise demonstrated, without intending to, when we feel, and are treated as if we are, better than somebody else, our performance improves. It requires no evidence other than that repeated message and treatment.
And when we feel a,nd are treated as if we are, beneath others, our performance suffers. It requires no other evidence than that repeated message and treatment.
Elevating one, while lowering the other, will break down friendships as surely as egos.
And it is hard to let go of that attitude once you have gained it.