Eddie Glaude Jr., Chair of African American Studies at Princeton and author of "Democracy in Black," dives deep into how whiteness shapes America's political landscape. He discusses the complexities of race as a social construct and its ramifications on societal hierarchies. Glaude emphasizes the need for authentic conversations around systemic inequality and reparations. He critiques illusions of progress during the Obama presidency, calling for transformative change to create a truly inclusive democracy.
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insights INSIGHT
Race as a Social Construct
Race is a social construct with real consequences, like money.
It shapes our understanding of human difference and impacts the distribution of resources.
insights INSIGHT
Identity in Politics
Acknowledging identity's role in politics allows discussions about lived experiences and injustices.
Ignoring identity in politics only benefits those whose identity already dictates laws.
insights INSIGHT
Orienting with Identity
Invoking identity aims to orient listeners towards specific histories and experiences often overlooked.
It highlights how past injustices affect current issues, urging consideration of broader contexts.
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John Dewey's "The Quest for Certainty" is a critical examination of the human desire for certainty and its implications for knowledge and action. Dewey argues that the pursuit of absolute certainty is a misguided endeavor, hindering intellectual and social progress. He emphasizes the importance of inquiry and the acceptance of uncertainty as essential components of human understanding. The book explores the historical and philosophical roots of the quest for certainty, tracing its influence on various aspects of human life. Dewey's insights into the nature of knowledge and the limitations of certainty remain highly relevant in contemporary philosophical discussions.
On James Baldwin
Colm Tóibín’s personal account of encountering James Baldwin’s work, published in Baldwin’s centenary year.
Colm Tóibín
More beautiful and more terrible
Imani Perry
Imani Perry's book, *More Beautiful and More Terrible*, examines how racial inequality persists in the United States, arguing that racism has entered a post-intentional phase. It challenges readers to move beyond simplistic explanations for racial disparities and instead consider how these inequalities are deeply embedded in American culture. Perry offers insights from critical race theory, social policy, law, sociology, and cultural studies to understand and address these issues.
Democracy in Black
Eddie Glaude Jr.
Kevin R. Free
In 'Democracy in Black', Eddie S. Glaude Jr. argues that despite the election of the first black president, racial inequality persists in America. He critiques the Obama presidency and traditional black leadership, advocating for a grassroots movement to address the 'value gap' that perpetuates systemic racism. The book explores the economic and social challenges faced by black communities, emphasizing the need for a new vision of democracy.
“Race isn’t about black people, necessarily,” says Eddie Glaude Jr. “It’s about the way whiteness works to disfigure and distort our democracy, and the ideals that animate our democracy.”
Glaude is the chair of Princeton University’s department of African American studies, the president of the American Academy of Religion, and the author of the powerful book Democracy in Black. And this is a conversation about some of the hardest issues in American life: the way racism is intertwined with America’s political system, the worldviews we force ourselves to adopt to justify racial inequality, and the way white fear sets boundaries on black politics.
These aren’t easy topics to discuss, but they’re necessary ones. As Glaude says, “We have to have a politics that can interrogate it honestly, and do it in such a way that is mature, that opens up space for us to imagine ourselves otherwise.”
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
