Making Sense with Sam Harris #217 — The New Religion of Anti-Racism
Sep 17, 2020
John McWhorter, a linguistics professor and writer, delves into the evolving landscape of race and anti-racism in America. He discusses the shifting definitions of racism and the pitfalls of identity politics. The conversation touches on the double standards faced by the Black community and critiques the current approaches to addressing racial disparities. McWhorter also highlights the challenges of police violence narratives and the quest for colorblindness in a racially divided society. His insights aim for a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding these issues.
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Anti-Racism as Religion
- The new anti-racism movement isn't about politics; it's a religious creed.
- Its members prioritize the ideology over electoral outcomes, treating it as gospel.
Racism: An Overused Explanation
- The core problem is attributing all Black problems to racism, a term with a muddied meaning.
- This oversimplification prevents meaningful solutions and condescends to Black people.
Whiteness and other groups
- Irish, Jewish, and Italian people were once considered almost Black but became white without a psychosocial revolution.
- This challenges the notion that Black progress requires different rules.
