“Complexity” is covering the truth

Understanding historical injustices such as slavery and apartheid requires empathy and the ability to view past societal debates without modern biases. Historical figures grappled with their moral beliefs and the complexities surrounding the social and political order of their time, often using justifications that seem inadequate today. The struggle to reconcile the morality of slavery versus the economic and social implications illustrates the complicated nature of these issues. Furthermore, beliefs held by past societies about democracy being suitable for certain classes of people reveal deep-rooted prejudices that persist in different forms. Social dynamics, such as crime statistics in marginalized neighborhoods, were cited to justify segregation, reflecting a flawed logic that complicates the pursuit of equality. The idea of a demographic project, such as establishing a state based on ethnicity, inevitably leads to discrimination, whether considered in a historical or contemporary context. The discussion emphasizes the importance of examining our values against the backdrop of these complexities, thereby questioning the implications of supporting any political framework that discriminates against individuals based on ethnicity.