Do you see a tendency in many people/groups to acknowledge, criticize and discuss problems in others, but be hostile or avoidant to recognizing even lesser versions of the same in themselves?

In the US, for instance, we often embrace discussions of how backwards things were in the past (not that that isn’t apt), or in other societies… yet almost use those examples as a foil to our supposed lack of race, gender, wealth and political equality. It’s a very convenient way to never experience the discomfort of acknowledging the problems we have the most control over.

Any ideas on how to get around this somewhat natural resistance to self-criticism and introspection?