Recategorization to inclusive identities like shared humanity can reduce prejudice

Evidence

Because categorization is the basis of prejudice, Allport argued that changing the way people conceived of category memberships held great promise for reducing prejudice. In particular, he proposed that shifting the focus from membership at a more differentiated level, such as racial groups, to a more inclusive level, such as national or human identity, could undermine the type of categorization that leads to prejudice between racial or ethnic groups. … In fact, race itself has become the dominant loyalty among many people … It seems today that the clash between the idea of race and of One World … is shaping into an issue that may well be the most decisive in human history … Can loyalty to mankind [sic] be fashioned before interracial warfare breaks out? (p. 44) In addition, Allport, building on the work of contemporary scholars, suggested the value of structured intergroup contact for improving intergroup relations. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 537

Categorization

• XREF: This is the theoretical seed later developed into the common ingroup identity model by Gaertner and Dovidio. — connects to: Counterstories do more than rebut dominant narratives; they humanize marginalized communities. — James D. Kirylo (ed.), Reinventing Pedagogy of the Oppressed:…, 469; Intersectionality reveals unmarked privileged positions and aids broad inclusive alliances. — Silke Roth, Intersectionality and coalitions in…, 380; the MOC “The Wound of the Label: When Knowing Someone Becomes a Way of Erasing Them”