The way this paragraph starts, the preceding paragraphs will help clarify the assertion the author is making.
I would interpret this quote in the context of social injustice of some kind. The use of "allegiances" tell me this quote centers around social injustice, politics etc.
I believe the author is asserting that, we and them as humans, are complex. Thus, we identify with our associations in more than one way. Our perceptions of other people may oppress them into an imaginary conflict that ironically is imposed by our perception about them. Therefore, "they" feel threatened or we can free them if we would just reconceptualize who they really are.
Beliefs, thoughts and words can kill or free people.