Oppressors must keep the oppressed divided to retain power, so unity itself becomes dangerous.

Evidence

As the oppressor minority subordinates and dominates the majority, it must divide it and keep it divided in order to remain in power. The minority cannot permit itself the luxury of tolerating the unification of the people, which would undoubtedly signify a serious threat to their own hegemony. Accordingly, the oppressors halt by any method (including violence) any action which in even incipient fashion could awaken the oppressed to the need for unity. Concepts such as unity, organization, and struggle are immediately labeled as dangerous. In fact, of course, these concepts are dangerous—to the oppressors—for their realization is necessary to actions of liberation. — Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 455

Categorization

• XREF: The ‘divide and rule’ logic connects to contemporary scapegoating and polarization dynamics — unity across lines is the threat.