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In this book Tim McGettigan and Earl Smith make the unprecedented argument that racism is a remediable form of suggestion-induced sadism. Smith and McGettigan explain in plain terms how societies like the USA construct racism, and they also explain how societies can dismantle and eradicate racism. When nations declare war, they usually go through ritualized processes of 'othering' their enemies. When nations 'other' their enemies, it becomes much easier to commit the mass murder and when the wars end nations generally go through a ritualized re-normalization processes. Early in its history the USA officially othered people of color. This is best exemplified by the Three-Fifths Compromise, 'excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.' Skin pigment racism has been rampant in the USA ever since because the USA has never formally ceased hostilities against people of color. The authors posit that the USA can eradicate racism by terminating the policies that create a foundation for America's white supremacist racism.
