Super glad they had you on early, Glenn. Now I only have a couple episodes (with Wynton Marsalis and Coleman Hughes!) to catch up on. Definitely subscribed to Straight Ahead on Spotify.
The way i see Greg Thomas's distinction re: Ketanji Jackson is that in one sense having a member of one's own group on the court can be validly seen as a sign of that group's acceptance into the mainstream of society; it's another to think that because she is a member of said group, she will necessarily be a better judge on the court pertaining to matters most relevant to that group.
A really good and heartfelt and civil discussion. In the end mortals can only know and do a limited amount over a brief time. Our works are dust and will all crumble in a few thousand years. So what is life and conscious existence, but a dream spoken by an idiot signifying nothing. At least Glenn gives rationality and truth a voice.
The analogy between blacks and Jews isn't compelling because Jews aren't a visible minority. Individuals who don't identify with the culture, history, or religion can opt out. In fact historically many did. Over centuries when the overall population of Europe increased, the Jewish population did not. Unless the concept of race as we understand it, as linked to a culture, is eliminated members of visible minorities cannot opt out.
I think you are inferring that blacks, by virtue of being visibly recognizable, face a different reality than Jews. There is obvious truth to that, but it's not that simple. After all, there are black Jews.
As for blacks being visibly recognizable, I have gone years thinking that certain celebrities were white, only to later discover that they were black. I guess I should keep better track!
Perhaps the greatest instance of racism in America is the presumption that blacks are socialist democrats. The facts is, blacks are people. Fundamental Christian conservatism is prevalent in the black community. Anti-gay sentiments are common. And so forth. So, what does that black person's skin color really tell us about the person? Or any person's skin color. If you saw me, and that I am white, what conclusions could you accurately draw?
The effort to dismantle racism by putting race (and religion) on the front burner and stewing it incessantly is creating more problems than it is solving.
I'm not disagreeing with you--and I emphatically agree that stewing about race and ethnicity is a bad thing. What I said was that it was worse for members of visible minorities because they couldn't pass, couldn't simply opt out as Jews can.
And I'm not disagreeing with you. I got your point, and it's a good one.
What I was getting at is that people, even those who are sympathetic to black issues often stereotype and fail to see the real person right in front of their face.
Fascinating
Super glad they had you on early, Glenn. Now I only have a couple episodes (with Wynton Marsalis and Coleman Hughes!) to catch up on. Definitely subscribed to Straight Ahead on Spotify.
Thanks for the "tip", buddy!
The way i see Greg Thomas's distinction re: Ketanji Jackson is that in one sense having a member of one's own group on the court can be validly seen as a sign of that group's acceptance into the mainstream of society; it's another to think that because she is a member of said group, she will necessarily be a better judge on the court pertaining to matters most relevant to that group.
A really good and heartfelt and civil discussion. In the end mortals can only know and do a limited amount over a brief time. Our works are dust and will all crumble in a few thousand years. So what is life and conscious existence, but a dream spoken by an idiot signifying nothing. At least Glenn gives rationality and truth a voice.
The analogy between blacks and Jews isn't compelling because Jews aren't a visible minority. Individuals who don't identify with the culture, history, or religion can opt out. In fact historically many did. Over centuries when the overall population of Europe increased, the Jewish population did not. Unless the concept of race as we understand it, as linked to a culture, is eliminated members of visible minorities cannot opt out.
I think you are inferring that blacks, by virtue of being visibly recognizable, face a different reality than Jews. There is obvious truth to that, but it's not that simple. After all, there are black Jews.
As for blacks being visibly recognizable, I have gone years thinking that certain celebrities were white, only to later discover that they were black. I guess I should keep better track!
Perhaps the greatest instance of racism in America is the presumption that blacks are socialist democrats. The facts is, blacks are people. Fundamental Christian conservatism is prevalent in the black community. Anti-gay sentiments are common. And so forth. So, what does that black person's skin color really tell us about the person? Or any person's skin color. If you saw me, and that I am white, what conclusions could you accurately draw?
The effort to dismantle racism by putting race (and religion) on the front burner and stewing it incessantly is creating more problems than it is solving.
I'm not disagreeing with you--and I emphatically agree that stewing about race and ethnicity is a bad thing. What I said was that it was worse for members of visible minorities because they couldn't pass, couldn't simply opt out as Jews can.
And I'm not disagreeing with you. I got your point, and it's a good one.
What I was getting at is that people, even those who are sympathetic to black issues often stereotype and fail to see the real person right in front of their face.
Wow, they got Wynton Marsalis for the second episode.