The Root Runs Deep – Dismantling Hierarchies and Authoritarian Regimes
- Brainz Magazine
- Jun 16, 2025
- 2 min read
With over 25 years in Behavioral Health, Training and Organizational Development, Dr. Veronica Powell, the 'Communication Doctor,' turned a personal trauma into a mission to revolutionize virtual communication.
As we close this chapter on fear’s weaponization, the journey toward reclaiming our shared humanity is far from over. In the next phase of this work, we will turn our focus to the systems that uphold oppression, the hierarchical structures that shape how power is distributed, how dominance is justified, and how division is sustained.
These hierarchies are not confined to one nation or culture. They are deeply embedded in historical and contemporary frameworks such as:
Manipulated versions of God’s Hierarchical Order of Creation
Medieval views of The Great Chain of Being
Entrenched systems of white supremacy, male-dominated patriarchy, hierarchical classism, exclusionary ableism, radicalized religious extremism, and socially manipulated Darwinism.
Each of these systems has been used to maintain control over others, cloaked in ideologies that divide, rank, and dehumanize.
And that is not all we will explore.
We will also examine authoritarian regimes, not just in isolation, but through the lens of societal composition:
In homogeneous societies, where shared identities (racial, cultural, religious) dominate, authoritarianism often takes root more easily. The sameness creates fewer barriers to conformity, and fear of the “other” is replaced with strict adherence to a singular narrative.
Heterogeneous societies, despite being frequent targets of division, may hold the greatest potential for resisting tyranny. Their diversity of thought, culture, and experience offers a built-in resistance, provided unity can be cultivated across those differences.
In these upcoming discussions, we will explore:
How hierarchical ideologies sustain oppression and authoritarian control.
Why diverse, heterogeneous societies can become the strongest forces against tyranny, when they choose unity over division.
What historical lessons reveal about successful resistance movements in both homogeneous and heterogeneous settings.
This is the work ahead: to dismantle the hierarchies that perpetuate hate and division, and to understand how diverse communities can resist fear-based rules. Together, we will explore what it takes to break free from these systems and build a world where dignity, equity, and shared humanity prevail.
Follow Dr. Powell on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and visit her website, and and BlueSky handle for more insights and updates.
Dr. Veronica Powell, PhD, LPC, PC, Measures4Success, LLC
With over 25 years in Behavioral Health, Training and Organizational Development, Dr. Veronica Powell, the 'Communication Doctor,' turned a personal trauma into a mission to revolutionize virtual communication. As the Owner of Measures4Success and an Independent Certified Life Languages Communications Coach, she's a dynamic force equipped with diverse skills, including those of an Industrial Organizational Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Trauma Professional, among others. Shifting from the "Therapyroom" to the digital "Courseroom," she guides others through her online platform, M4S Academy, to transcend digital barriers and achieve personal and professional growth.
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