Contradiction on Race as a Social Construct

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There is a tension and incoherence on the left regarding the concept of race. While some argue that race is a social construct, there is still an assertion of essentialism around race. This contradiction is a result of strategic essentialism, as seen in the consultants who encourage defining oneself by race while claiming that race is a social construct. This concept is rooted in post-colonial ideas. The question then arises about critical race theory.

Sam Harris speaks with Yascha Mounk about identity politics. They discuss Yascha’s concept of the “identity synthesis,” skepticism about “cancel culture,” racial segregation in schools, the ideological change on college campuses, Michel Foucault and postmodernism, the rejection of universalism, Derrick Bell, Kimberlé Crenshaw, the “permanence of racism,” the indoctrination of children, intersectionality, white privilege, institutional racism, equity vs equality, racial preferences during the Covid pandemic, the asymmetric advantage of authoritarianism, class and elitism, affirmative action, media coverage of crime and violence, social media and the business model of mainstream journalism, and other topics.

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