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In reply to the discussion: About that young lady the cop brutally attacked over the pool party.... [View all]haele
(12,741 posts)A power trip is an attempt to gain control over someone or something that one has a visceral reaction against.
The #1 trigger in developing a contempt or fear of any particular stereotype or group (i.e., "group-ism" tends to be based on differences in race, because that's the most obvious tribal identifier that can't be mitigated.
While the majority of men who dislike women do have women in their lives they feel something positive towards, and the majority of women who hate men also have men in their lives they feel something positive towards, and religion or sexual preference tendencies aren't immediately noticeable, the indication of a difference is out front and obvious as soon as a person of a different race comes into view.
So, Here's how a power trip-out triggered by racism works (well, at least in my experience)
Lower ranking emperor-god-king/queen is experiencing a frustrating build-up of anger on "checks" to his or her sense of authority to begin with. Has to keep that frustration eating at them in check to perform duties expected of a job, or needs to present a neutral public face.
Sees something that s/he doesn't like or approve of anyway. Like a group of kids who don't look like they're "good enough" to be in his or her little kingdom. Or someone who vaguely looks like someone who could be committing a crime catches his or her eye as being "out of place".
Frustration and rage suddenly boil up. "How dare that scum sully my world! They're ignoring my presence, the disrespectful [ethnic slur FITB]! I'm going to teach them a lesson they won't ever forget before they get away."
And then the incoherent ranting of orders begins, and the gun comes out to enforce whatever control that frustrated authoritarian is trying to establish.
And the unsuspecting target finds him or herself the focus of that frustration, and will experience harassment, abuse, injury, or even death for reasons other than a potential criminal act because that authoritarian has given his/her personal control up to the entire range of frustration and anger the lizard brain sets in motion. They won't stop until 1) the target of their rage is sufficiently neutralized or 2) someone stronger can establish control over them.
So yes, a racist person will more quickly over-react and go on a power-trip because their racism sees anyone of another race who isn't cowed or in their proper place as a disrespectful attack on their authority.
I've seen it first hand in the military and in the civilian sphere more times than I can count my entire life.
Haele