Thomas Chatterton Williams, a cultural critic and author, dives into the illusion of racial identity and the implications of the 'Authoritarian Left.' He discusses the fallout from his 'Harper's Letter' and addresses the tensions surrounding victimhood in America, particularly at Smith College. Williams emphasizes the need for nuance in discussions of policing and the importance of universal values over divisive identity politics. Through personal anecdotes, he encourages genuine connections across diverse backgrounds, challenging societal narratives on race and privilege.
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Shifting Focus of the ACLU
The ACLU has shifted from defending bedrock freedoms to focusing on identity-based lawsuits.
This shift is exemplified by their involvement in a lawsuit at Smith College involving segregated dormitories.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Smith College Incident
A student at Smith College falsely accused a janitor and cafeteria worker of racism.
The college, instead of supporting the workers, sided with the student, highlighting the overemphasis on perceived victimhood.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Williams on Parental Responsibility
Williams describes how he would react if his child falsely accused someone of racism.
He emphasizes the importance of rectifying the situation and teaching children not to abuse victimhood narratives.
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Racecraft: The Soul of Inequality in American Life
Barbara Fields
Karen Fields
This book, co-authored by sociologist Karen E. Fields and historian Barbara J. Fields, analyzes the concept of 'racecraft,' which compares the social practices of racism to the beliefs of witchcraft. The authors argue that racism is a social practice that creates the illusion of race, rather than the other way around. The book is organized into three original essays and six republished essays, critiquing the use of race as a neutral descriptor in American history and highlighting how the ideology of race was invented to justify slavery and other forms of inequality. It emphasizes that racism is not about individual attitudes or mental states but about social practices and routine behaviors that reinforce racial differences.
Between the World and Me
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Between the World and Me is a personal and literary exploration of America's racial history. Written as a series of letters to his 15-year-old son, Samori, Ta-Nehisi Coates reflects on his own experiences growing up in Baltimore, his education at Howard University, and his career as a journalist. The book delves into the realities of being Black in America, including the historical and ongoing impacts of slavery, segregation, police brutality, and mass incarceration. Coates shares personal anecdotes and historical insights to prepare his son for the challenges he will face as a Black man in America, while also offering a broader critique of American society and its treatment of Black bodies. The book is a powerful and emotional exploration of identity, history, and the struggle for racial justice[2][3][4].
Self-Portrait in Black and White, Unlearning Race
Thomas Chatterton Williams
Megyn Kelly is joined by Thomas Chatterton Williams, contributing editor to Harper's Magazine and the New York Times Magazine, to talk about the illusion of racial identity, the "Authoritarian Left," the fallout from his "Harper's Letter," victimhood in America, the situation at Smith College, nuance of policing in America, anti-racism vs. anti-race, his parents and family, race and schools, and more.
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