Victor Davis Hanson: Joy Reid and the Rise of Open Racism From the Left

Aug 22, 2025

Victor Davis Hanson delves into the divisive nature of racial rhetoric in today's society. He highlights troubling statements from public figures that embrace racial essentialism, arguing such views threaten America's multiracial democracy. The discussion critiques the double standards in addressing racist remarks, especially from influential positions. Emphasizing accountability, Hanson advocates for a rejection of ethnic and racial chauvinism to foster genuine tolerance and unity.

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INSIGHT

Identity As Incidental To Citizenship

The United States succeeds when personal identity is incidental to being American rather than essential.
Victor Davis Hanson warns racial essentialism undermines multiracial democracy and cohesion.

ANECDOTE

Joy Reid's Controversial Podcast Remarks

Victor Davis Hanson recounts Joy Reid's podcast remarks that collectively disparaged white people and denied their creative contributions.
He cites her claim that white people "can't invent anything" and that American music is solely black people's domain.

ANECDOTE

Luke Wood Example Of Antiwhite Rhetoric

Hanson cites Luke Wood, former Sacramento State president, who in past statements said he wanted to "eliminate whiteness."
He notes there were effectively no repercussions for such rhetoric.

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This type of rhetoric, embraced by DEI ideology, is nothing short of racial essentialism—and dangerously divisive.

Victor Davis Hanson explains why such rhetoric threatens America’s identity as a successful multiracial democracy—and why ethnic and racial chauvinism must be rejected—on today’s episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.”

“Joy Reid is basically saying that black people are cognitively superior to other people. I wish this was an isolated incident. But remember, we've had this controversy before, about the president of Sacramento State, Luke Wood, who, in his past, was an African American intellectual activist, as he self-describes himself. And he said he wanted to ”eliminate”—that's a bad word to use, given the history of it in the 20th century—“eliminate whiteness.” Again, no repercussions.

“We have zero tolerance when racists, who are white, say such things about other groups. But in a truly multiracial, tolerant society, people who not only attack a group, collectively, and stereotype it, but they do so from positions of influence and power—like The New Yorker magazine or a former MSNBC anchor—they can do a great deal of damage, unless they're called out for it.”

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(0:00) Zero Tolerance for Racism
(0:18) Joy Reid's Controversial Statements
(0:30) The Dangers of the DEI Movement
(2:20) Historical Context and Misconceptions
(2:28) Modern Examples of Racial Essentialism
(5:02) The Importance of Multiracial Tolerance
(6:02) Conclusion

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