That root of "protect me and mine and fuck the people who are not a part of my family/nation/neighborhood/race/religion/political party/[insert in-group]" runs strong in us and lives at the root of so much of our fuckery.
"I must survive and my group must survive at all costs. Fuck the people not in my group." selfishness drives this.
Stare it in the face and get to know it well. It's the demon we all live with.