"The Legacy of BLM, continued" with Thomas Chatterton Williams
Jun 16, 2023
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Great writer Thomas Chatterton Williams discusses the legacy of the Black Lives Matter movement and the year 2020. Topics include accepting heterodox views, the impact of algorithmic boosting, positive/negative effects of BLM, consequences of viewing everything as a competition among identity groups, and the reformation of thinking and impact of research after 2020.
Recognizing the diversity of opinions within the black community and challenging stereotypes is crucial for fostering understanding and dialogue.
The excessive focus on identity and woke ideology can lead to a breakdown of trust, cohesion, and meaningful dialogue, highlighting the need for honest and open interracial conversations.
Deep dives
The Perception of Black Identity as Ideological
The speaker discusses the perception that blackness embodies a specific politics and ideology, rather than being seen as an ethnic group. This perception often leads to surprise and confusion when black individuals hold diverse viewpoints that do not align with progressive racial justice activism. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the diversity of opinions within the black community and challenging stereotypes.
The Impacts of Wartime Mentality
The speaker compares the mentality surrounding racial issues to a wartime mentality, where each side believes the other is pure evil. This mindset often leads to a reluctance to speak honestly and openly about sensitive topics, perpetuating a race war instead of fostering understanding and dialogue. The speaker advocates for more honesty and vulnerability in interracial conversations to promote healthy dynamics and trust.
The Unintended Consequences of the Racial Reckoning
The speaker examines the aftermath of the Black Lives Matter movement and the racial reckoning of 2020. While there were positive changes in addressing police impunity, there were also unintended negative consequences. The speaker points out the significant increase in homicide rates, particularly affecting the black community. The speaker questions whether the harm caused by the rise in crime outweighs the positive progress made during this period.
The Resentments and Backlash of Woke Ideology
The speaker discusses the backlash and resentment that has emerged as a result of the excessive focus on identity and woke ideology. There is growing skepticism towards diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, leading some companies to reevaluate their effectiveness and hire consultants to address the shortcomings. The speaker highlights the danger of constantly perceiving everything as a battle between identity groups, resulting in a breakdown of trust, cohesion, and meaningful dialogue.
Thomas and I talk about a host of subjects here, but we pay special attention to the legacy of the Black Lives Matter movement, and 2020 in particular.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
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