Ethnocide and American Politics with Barrett Holmes Pitner
Jan 29, 2025
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Barrett Holmes Pitner, the author of "The Crime Without a Name" and founder of the Sustainable Culture Lab, delves into the concept of ethnocide—the cultural erasure of communities. He argues that Trump’s re-election reflects America's long-standing issues with racism and capitalism. The discussion pivots around redefining freedom, the philosophical underpinnings of identity, and the importance of cultural healing through rituals. Barrett's idea of 'Eŭ-topia' emphasizes nurturing spaces for communal growth, challenging us to transform systemic oppression through collective action.
Barrett Holmes Pitner defines ethnocide as the eradication of a people's culture while physically retaining them, reflecting historical oppression.
The discussion emphasizes that America's ideals of freedom and equality have often coexisted with white supremacy and patriarchy, influenced by its founding dynamics.
The distinction between 'freedom from' and 'freedom with' highlights the importance of community support in promoting social harmony and democratic stability.
Deep dives
Understanding Ethnocide in America
Ethnocide, a term coined by Barrett Holmes Pitner, refers to the systematic destruction of a people's culture while retaining their physical existence. This concept highlights the historical context of African culture's obliteration through colonization and slavery in the United States. By examining America's racial dynamics through this lens, it becomes clear that the intent has been to suppress African cultural identity to facilitate oppression, making it easier to control these populations. This acknowledgment of ongoing cultural erasure is crucial in understanding the systemic oppression faced by Black communities in America.
The Illusion of American Ideals
Barrett Holmes Pitner argues that the prevailing American ideals of freedom and equality have been historically tenuous, often coexisting with white supremacy and patriarchy. The recent political climate, epitomized by Trump's re-election, serves as a reflection of deep-seated issues that have persisted since the nation's founding, revealing that the myth of progress can obscure the reality of regressive attitudes. The podcast stresses that the United States was built by white men for wealth accumulation, and many assume that the flaws of this foundation could be easily rectified. This requires a hard look at the uncomfortable truths of American history, wherein systemic injustices and divisions are foundational rather than aberrations.
Rethinking Freedom in Society
The distinction between 'freedom from' versus 'freedom with' is an essential theme explored in the conversation. 'Freedom from' generally highlights an individualistic perspective that prioritizes personal autonomy, often at the expense of community and collaborative relationships. In contrast, 'freedom with' emphasizes community ties and mutual support while recognizing that social harmony entails a compromise of individual desires. By promoting 'freedom with,' societies can enhance democratic stability by encouraging interconnectedness and collective responsibility among individuals.
The Role of Language in Cultural Change
Language is a critical tool for fostering social change and addressing racism, as it shapes our understanding and communication about cultural issues. Pitner discusses the necessity of creating new terms to articulate complex ideas that existing language cannot capture, such as 'ethnocide.' When language becomes corrupted by bad faith, it becomes challenging to establish shared meanings, making building consensus difficult. Therefore, fostering precise language is essential for meaningful conversations and for catalyzing social change, enabling people to articulate their realities and engage effectively.
Creating Sustainable Culture through Rituals
Pitner's project, the Altars of America, illustrates the process of cultural regeneration through rituals that honor ancestors and promote community healing. This initiative stems from recognizing the need for proactive practices that nurture connections rather than reacting to violence or loss. Engaging in rituals like those inspired by Día de los Muertos provides an accessible avenue for cultural remembrance and renewal, enabling participants to reclaim their identities. Ultimately, this focus on ritual can serve as a catalyst for creating new, inclusive cultural practices that address shared traumas and foster communal well-being.
Ethnocide is a word Barrett both coined and resurrected, referring to the destruction of a people’s culture while keeping the people. From Barrett’s point of view, Trump’s re-election is not cause for disbelief, but a glaring reminder of what America has been since its inception: a country founded by white men for the purposes of wealth accumulation, whose rhetoric of freedom and equality has always been tenuous alongside its prevalence of white supremacy and patriarchy.
In this conversation Jenny and Barrett discuss:
Why Trump's re-election did not surprise Barrett and how it reflects something fundamental about American politics
The bad faith and lies underlying American democracy
The distinction between freedom from and freedom with
The importance of language in addressing systemic oppression
What ethnocide means and its origin
Capitalism and ethnocide
Existentialism and the notions of existence vs. essence
White essence in the United States
What identity means to Barrett
Why the Hegelian dialectic and critical theory are essential to understand and combat ethnocide
What culture means to Barrett
Ethnogenesis: creating and birthing culture
Barrett's Altars of American project: a ritual to combat ethnocide
Eŭ-topia: a sustainable, good, nurturing place
How we can transcend systemic oppression by cultivating Eŭ-topian spaces
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