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Our board member was recently interviewed by NRC about how xenophobia can escalate into hatred and violence. Xenophobia is rooted in a natural fear of the unfamiliar, such as an unknown person. According to Marcel Lubbers, the first step toward fearing others is the distinction between in-group and out-group—determining who belongs to "our" group and who does not. The rise of nation-states in the 19th century made these group boundaries more pronounced, reinforced by institutions like schools and museums that emphasized shared identities.

By defining "we" or "us," it also becomes clear who is considered different and part of the out-group. However, this alone does not explain the emergence of hatred or violence. Lubbers argues that such emotions and actions often arise in times of economic or social instability, when uncertainty and change create stress. In these moments, the out-group may be perceived as the cause of these difficulties, leading some in-group members to develop hostility—or even resort to violence—against those they see as outsiders.

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