American is having a civil war. It’s a different kind of civil war that features public signals of belonging to a team and even more powerful signals of contempt for those in the perceived opposition. So far, it’s mostly nonviolent, but it touches everything and impacts all aspects of our lives. The main thing we have in common in the two Americas is that we hate each other. Here’s an example: three weeks ago, country music’s Morgan Wallen was caught on camera using the N-word. On one side of the civil war, this meant suspended record deals, being dropped from radio station playlists, streaming services taking down his music, and a disqualification from this year’s Academy of Country Music awards. On the other side of the civil war, this meant it was time to buy Morgan Wallen’s music, at least in part, as a protest against his being ‘canceled.’ Wallen’s latest album Dangerous is the longest-running No. 1 album for a male artist since 2016. The Atlantic: After saying a racial slur and being exiled from radio, Morgan Wallen has become only more popular. What’s going on?

+ NYT: Battling the Mob, a Black Officer Came Face to Face With Racism. Did you have a shield or any other protective gear? “My fists are pretty protective.”