Yune explaining the concept of a scapegoat to Will.
“A scapegoat.” A bitter taste formed in Yune’s mouth.
“What do goats have to do with this?” Will wondered.
He rested his arm on the kid’s head. Will might have a broad vocabulary, but there were still a ton of words he didn't understand. After all, he'd been brainwashed, and he was still ten even if he vehemently denied it. “It means picking someone or something to punish in place of the actual reason, even if the one they choose has nothing to do with it, did nothing to deserve it, and did nothing wrong.”
“That's garbage. Why?”
“A physical thing is easier to attack than a concept, idea, or force. People need something tangible to focus their aggression on. It gives them the illusion of power that they can do something about it, when they’re actually powerless. Or they’re afraid of something they don’t understand and don't have control over and they feel threatened by it. They believe getting rid of the scapegoat will get rid of the problem. They’ll also use it to shift blame to someone else so they won’t have to suffer the consequences of their actions. They'll lie to make other people believe them. Blaming someone else makes the blamer feel justified in beating them up. Politicians are masters at this.”
Will scrunched his nose up in disgust. What a horrible, evil, unfair thing to do to someone.
“Yeah, I hear ya.” Yune agreed with the kids' sentiment.
Will didn’t shove his arm away. Having that pressure and touch helped support him in absorbing all this information without feeling like he was processing it alone.
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