As Caitlin puts it, “We must be vigilant in directing our anger at the manipulators and not the manipulated. It’s always the conman’s fault, never the victim.” Thus does she absolve Americans for any responsibility for the massive crimes their country has committed against other peoples
This sort of observation has been applied, over the years in domestic debates, to white South Africans who were 'manipulated' and silent in the face of their apartheid government's crimes. To what extent were all white South Africans complicit and/or responsible for the massive crimes their country committed against other peoples, domestically and in neighbouring states? South African media was heavily compromised and captured at that time - both directly and indirectly - in a way eerily reminiscent of US and UK media today. The same stenography, shifted Overton window, "people like us" mentality, corporate and state backing, intelligence alliance and outright infiltration. It was easier for white South Africans to choose to stay in the comfort zone created by their media. Media offered distraction, rationalisation and soothing lies of commission and omission.