Racism (Classic Definition) is morally repugnant. Kendi’s “anti-racism” and DiAngelo’s “White Fragility” notions are (by that definition) racist and hence morally repugnant. In addition, Kendi’s policy proposals are tyrannical and DiAngelo’s are, at a minimum, conducive to a hostile work environment. Both engage in the reprehensible rhetorical device of the “Kafka trap,” uniformly a sign of a weak argument. Unfortunately, both are quite influential in the civic discourse of the US at the moment, which makes civil discourse difficult, to say the least. My best estimate is that the trajectory we are on leads to civil war, with race being one of several fault lines along which we may break.
Will we be able to walk back from the precipice? I certainly hope and pray so, but social media amplification, a historically poor-quality governing class, and a proto-fascist unification among most of the institutions of American life (bureaucracy, academia, many churches, entertainment, most media, even many corporations have become rods in the fasces) mitigate against it.
My alternative suggestions are small, quiet, individual – they aren’t susceptible of pithy slogans; backs of jerseys will not be emblazoned with “Read Heterodox Minority Writers” or “Study Statistical Disparities Carefully and Avoid Jumping to Easy Conclusions” or even “Tom Sowell Rocks.” If USA version 1 is to be saved from racial strife, it will be saved not in political rallies or policy initiatives or Twitter fights or shouting down opponents, but in face to face discussions between and among friends. To that end, I have one last suggestion: spend less time in your Facebook bubble and more time in actual civic engagement (not political engagement – politics may be able to help many things, but not this), doing worthwhile things together with people who may differ somewhat from you. Earn the right to be heard, and then speak.
Full disclosure: I have experienced only very limited success when I have tried this approach with friends who have opposite views on the subject. The best thing I can say is that the conversations aren’t over.
Postscript: after I wrote these essays, this highly recommended article by Mike Gonzalez (mostly on Marxism, but sounding some of my themes on nonracism as well) was published. I am choosing to point to it separately in a few places rather than reworking my essays to incorporate more detailed references to his work because, well, it’s a lot easier this way!