In woke culture, society is viewed as an omnipresent conflict between perpetrators and victims. Woke ideologues advocate a morality that unilaterally shows solidarity with (alleged) victims.
In contrast to a morality of honour, according to which one is expected to be strong enough to provide for justice independently and to defend oneself with one’s own hands, and to a morality of dignity, according to which one is expected to maintain a conciliatory approach even in conflicts, woke morality emphasises how helpless the alleged victim is in the face of discrimination.319 The reputation of a person rises the better their story of suffering can be dramatised as a consequence of discriminatory power structures.
Victim status not only confers prestige: victims also possess authority, as marginalised persons have special insight into reality (see Standpoint Theory). In addition, victim status confers influence: with demands for justice, inclusion or protection, the actions of others can be controlled. From the victim position, in which one allegedly comes up short, one’s own claims can easily be justified (see Negotiations). Consequently, it is advantageous to be able to present oneself as a victim (see Identity).
Since discrimination always exists as soon as an alleged victim feels discriminated against, victim status cannot be objectively verified. From psychological studies, it is known that people are hardly able to distinguish real discrimination from perceived discrimination.320
The effects of an internalised victim role are drastic: research results show that persons who see themselves as victims interpret ambiguous situations more negatively and are more distrustful.321 An internalised victim role is associated with conflict-escalating personality traits: such persons have a strong need to receive sympathy, feel more morally superior, and feel less empathy for the suffering of others.322 Moreover, they are more easily offended, more readily attribute negative characteristics to others, and feel more entitled to immoral behaviour.323
A victim mentality is promoted by new-left theories, as this attitude intensifies societal tensions, which seems to confirm the woke view of conflicts. Once woke ideology becomes influential, almost everyone feels like a victim of unjust structures. There is unfortunately no simple remedy against self-victimisation through the victim role. The victim role is attractive because it promises solutions for which one does not have to achieve anything oneself.
Viewpoints that strengthen an internal locus of control and gratitude should be reinforced against the woke victimhood culture.324