Thanks, that was an interesting read.

quote:

Originally posted by QuirtEvans:
Thanks, that was an interesting read.

+1

And shared.

McWhorter has been honing this thesis for a number of years now. He has the language and the intellectual chops to make a clear case, a revolt even, against this wave of what in the 80s was referred to as "The Movement."

He also has some standing. It's somewhat easier for a black intellectual who refers to himself as "a cranky liberal" to push back against the easy charge of being "self-loathing" or a tool of supremacists. He is also correct, I think, in noting that most White critics of the new movement have a harder road. Well, unless they're right-wing rabble rousers for the Trump base, in which case they don't much care about having the racist label hurled at them by their adversaries. But centrist or left-wing criticism won't be received as merely incorrect. Their claims probably won't be read as humanist or liberal counterarguments expressed in good faith. They will be marked as racist and risk social media assault. Careers can end. Not worth it. Intimidation does work.

I thought that essay rang some bells with me.

They analogy of "anti-racism" as a religion not subject to rational discussion and review resonates with some recent conversations I have had. The "if you're not for me, then you're against me" position doesn't allow for much discussion or even some discussion of what constitutes racism, anti-racism, or how such labels apply to individuals and situations.

There is a certain "my way or the highway" feeling that appears when debate, discussion, or an honest attempt to understand impends some agendas. An example recently appeared in a local peace organization when one of the original founders was driven out after repeating something she apparently agreed with something that she saw on Facebook (story here). The "purge" that subsequently happened seemed to me to be reminiscent of the Stalinist purges of the 1930s or Mao's great leap forward a few decades later.

I may be labeled reactionary or worse, but I'm not quite ready to voluntarily enroll in the 21st century's re-education camps yet.

Big Al

Asthma and I don't know what have made it difficult to focus and read the essay.
Took an antihistamine and now I can read it, but it still looks like BS about BS.
Thank you for you comments.

An excellent analysis of a subject I wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole.

I only got to the tenants, then stopped.

Tripe IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by Dan:
I only got to the tenants, then stopped.

Tripe IMO.

It does have that BS about BS air about it.

Did you mean “tenets” rather than “tenants?”

quote:

Originally posted by Piano*Dad:
centrist or left-wing criticism won't be received as merely incorrect. Their claims probably won't be read as humanist or liberal counterarguments expressed in good faith. They will be marked as racist and risk social media assault. Careers can end. Not worth it. Intimidation does work.

Yup.

quote:

Originally posted by QuirtEvans:

quote:

Originally posted by Piano*Dad:
centrist or left-wing criticism won't be received as merely incorrect. Their claims probably won't be read as humanist or liberal counterarguments expressed in good faith. They will be marked as racist and risk social media assault. Careers can end. Not worth it. Intimidation does work.

Yup.

Yeah, well, then why am I writing that sh!t?

quote:

Originally posted by Piano*Dad:

Yeah, well, then why am I writing that sh!t?

So, you too are thinking about retirement? :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Piano*Dad:

quote:

Originally posted by QuirtEvans:

quote:

Originally posted by Piano*Dad:
centrist or left-wing criticism won't be received as merely incorrect. Their claims probably won't be read as humanist or liberal counterarguments expressed in good faith. They will be marked as racist and risk social media assault. Careers can end. Not worth it. Intimidation does work.

Yup.

Yeah, well, then why am I writing that sh!t?

The only way to win is not to play…