The hierarchies in Figure 2.2 reflect what some people believe about the “natural” order of relationships between human beings and how they influence economic, political, religious, cultural and other structures in societies. Direct forms of violence such as crime, civil war or terrorism are expressions of these hierarchies at the national and international levels, as some groups fight to maintain their superiority while others fight to gain power or equalize relationships. White people who create structures that discriminate against people of colour communicate their internalized superiority and their power to enforce inequalities.