It seems useful to those in power to build a National myth, even if they don’t realize they are doing it. I think on the personal level abusers always build a story in their own heads where they are the good guys and there is Justice in their actions.

Perhaps having a coherent story that justifies one’s actions is so important that when someone challenges the story it is an existential threat. I can imagine when confederate monuments are being taken down some people feel that as a personal attack. Sort of like when I talk about my favorite sports team winning I say “we won.” And if someone is hating on my team it feels like they are hating on me.

I wonder if the need for a story is integral to human nature. If so, then we need coherent story lines that are less rape-y and less full of slavery and misogyny.

Perhaps this is why there is a boom in tv series on streaming services now. We are seeking a set of stories to attach our identities to. It is also why Jk Rowling’s transphobic stance has been hard to digest - because that world made sense to many people turned off by this world.

I think the story of the USA has worked for so long for most white people that we can’t see why other people hate it. We think they hate us and hate the USA, but really they hate the dominant story.

I’m curious about Ukraine- the story I am hearing is that Putin underestimated the national identity of Ukraine.