Bad Faith Episode 536 Promo - Compact Carnage (w/ Vijay Prashad)
Dec 22, 2025
Join historian and journalist Vijay Prashad as he unpacks the complexities of race and merit in today’s political landscape. He critically examines a recent article suggesting discrimination against white millennial men and discusses how this narrative plays into conservative rhetoric. Vijay argues that the left often shies away from engaging with race, especially after its weaponization during the Bernie era. Delve into the nuances of contemporary politics, where perceptions of merit, racism, and media narratives collide.
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Meritocracy Masks Policy Choices
- Political rhetoric that claims meritocracy masks cuts to government and protects inequality.
- Vijay Prashad argues conservatives use 'merit' to deny group disadvantages and justify reduced spending.
Right-Wing Merit Can Claim Whiteness
- People of color who embrace right-wing merit narratives may be claiming membership in whiteness to gain acceptance.
- Vijay Prashad and Briahna debate whether Vivek Ramaswamy's stance is naive or deliberately aligning with white supremacy.
Left Hesitation On Race Hurts Coalition Building
- Briahna thinks some conservatives of color adopted mainstream Republican narratives naively, not realizing those narratives masked racism.
- She warns the left must still contend honestly with race rather than shy away from discussing it.