Example of cleftphobia: “What’s a misfit doing at a party?”

“Public prejudicial discrimination—harassment—is an appeal to those present to share the harasser's opinion that there is something wrong with the person who is being singled out which renders them outside of society. That is why it is not the responsibility of the target of prejudice to defend themself socially—social negation is assumed. That is why it is the responsibility of any group, as soon as they realize it is possible that discrimination is taking place, to make it clear in no uncertain terms that discrimination is not accepted there.” - Personal note, 2008

Cleftphobia is often apparent at parties. One suddenly finds oneself on the hot seat. Interrogation pretending to be normal social curiosity—but the subtext is, ‘What’s a misfit doing at a party?’