The Right-Wing’s Spooky New Acronym DEI Betrays an Old Prejudice
Apr 2, 2024
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Dr. Kaila Story and Jacob Heilbrunn discuss the right-wing's new DEI acronym and its historical implications. They also touch upon America Last: The Right's Century-Long Romance with Foreign Dictators. Other topics include cult-like mentality in politics, racist attacks, resistance to DEI initiatives, historical pro-German sentiment, disillusionment with Caitlyn Jenner, and controversy surrounding Adil Mungy's nomination for US Court of Appeals.
Students resist anti-DEI bills, promoting inclusivity and diverse education.
Legislators cloak racist intentions with language of equality in anti-DEI bills.
GOP targets diversity in education to distort historical narratives and maintain power.
Deep dives
Students' Resistance to Anti-DEI Initiatives
Students from diverse backgrounds at the University of Louisville passionately resist anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) bills proposed by the predominantly white legislators. These bills aimed to strip scholarships, resource centers, and inclusive curriculum, sparking a civic engagement among students to challenge and counter such discriminatory measures. The diverse student body sees DEI as an empowering force, fostering community, challenging discriminatory norms, and advocating for inclusive education and diverse perspectives.
Whitewashing Racism and White Supremacy
Legislators pushing anti-DEI bills employ leftist language of inclusion and equality to cloak their racist intentions, aiming to suppress Black studies, women's studies, and LGBTQ studies. Despite promoting fairness and equating DEI efforts with suppression of conservative views, these bills mirror racism, white supremacy, and a historical pattern of authoritarian attacks on intellectualism and diverse education. The GOP's attempts to whitewash racism through legislative measures are recognized as veiled efforts to maintain oppressive power structures.
The Intellectual Battleground and Historical Context
The GOP's legislative assault on DEI initiatives reflects a deeper ideological battle for educational inclusivity and historical accuracy. By targeting universities and diverse academic programs, they aim to undermine empowerment, challenge historical perspectives, and distort the narrative on racism and white supremacy. Students and professors alike highlight the paradox of legislators refusing to acknowledge their racist motives while pushing discriminatory laws and tactics reminiscent of past oppressive regimes, ultimately revealing the insidious nature of these anti-DEI bills.
American Right's Historical Admiration for Foreign Dictators
The podcast episode delves into the historical admiration of the American Right for foreign dictators, tracing back over a century. Kaiser Wilhelm II's significance is highlighted, as his actions are linked to precipitating World War I and setting dangerous precedent for genocidal practices. The discussion then shifts to figures like H.L. Mencken and the American Right's view towards authoritarian figures, showcasing a pattern of admiration that extends to Mussolini, showcasing the long-standing romance with right-wing authoritarian leaders.
Revisionism and the American Right's Historical Patterns
The episode also explores the concept of historical revisionism within the American Right, divided into three key waves post different wars. The primary thesis of blaming America for intervention post-World War I is discussed. The conversation aligns this historical pattern with current admiration for figures like Orban and Putin, drawing parallels between past ideologies and modern conservative viewpoints on projecting American power and supporting dictators.
This week on The New Abnormal, University of Louisville Associate Professor in the Departments of Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Pan-African Studies Dr. Kaila Story joins us to talk about the new acronym conservatives are flinging about, and why it’s taken flight. Plus! Editor of The National Interest, Jacob Heilbrunn, joins us to talk about his new book, “America Last: The Right’s Century-Long Romance with Foreign Dictators.”