Sympathetic indignation can coexist with reproducing the very moralizing that justifies mistreatment

Evidence

Politicians, like Delors, can display indignation at the treatment of Roma by established liberal democracies, whilst at the same time highlighting explicitly Roma’s moral transgression. As I argued in Chapter 6 the idea that ‘the Roma cannot just go anywhere’ is a very powerful notion that is used to keep the Roma in a subordinate position, and is used to justify harsh treatment. People who are denied freedom of movement and settlement are denied dignity. — Cristian Tileagă, The Nature of Prejudice, 756

Categorization

• XREF: The ‘sympathy coexisting with moral exclusion’ dynamic parallels the ‘inclusive sympathy’ critique of Nussbaum cited in the chapter, and echoes the framing in the ‘Complaints About Immodesty’ article about moralizing dress as identity signaling. — connects to: Contemplative serenity in prose conceals a hidden violence of authority. — Theodor W. Adorno, Minima Moralia: Reflections from…, 113