Ok. I agree with Glenn (in general) that problems are created, and neglected, by exaggerating “systemic” racism. However, you would never know from his speech — or from his podcasts — that the United States has serious problems that affect everybody, black, white, brown, green.
Among them:
Grotesque inequality, with an unproductive concentration of wealth at the top.
Inadequate healthcare and limited coverage compared with other advanced countries. Troubled and overburdened schools.
An increasingly rent-based economy with a declining manufacturing sector.
Enormous drug addiction and mental health problems. Crumbling infrastructure (a big bill has been passed but that doesn’t mean it’s not a problem any more).
Of course, the very VERY serious problem of climate change.
And a political system that is corrupt, unbalanced and unrepresentative.
Each one of these problems exacerbates racial disparities and tensions.
I don’t know if Glenn thinks the market solves everything. But one can’t pretend these problems don’t exist. Especially if you’re into facing reality.
if you are familiar with his other writings and speeches, you would know he doesn't deny all these things. However, he is more objective in seeking the underlying causes as opposed to blanket statements that all inequalities are due to systemic racism that the government must step in to fix.
I get what he does say in the speech about race, and I don’t disagree with him. I was dealing with the many serious problems that impact race that he doesn't address. (I’ve been reading him for a long time, and in fact, I haven’t heard him address these points nearly enough in his podcasts.) You can only get so far by running against the race mongers. Still, if you’re committed to “facing reality,” you need to face all of it.
Ok. I agree with Glenn (in general) that problems are created, and neglected, by exaggerating “systemic” racism. However, you would never know from his speech — or from his podcasts — that the United States has serious problems that affect everybody, black, white, brown, green.
Among them:
Grotesque inequality, with an unproductive concentration of wealth at the top.
Inadequate healthcare and limited coverage compared with other advanced countries. Troubled and overburdened schools.
An increasingly rent-based economy with a declining manufacturing sector.
Enormous drug addiction and mental health problems. Crumbling infrastructure (a big bill has been passed but that doesn’t mean it’s not a problem any more).
Of course, the very VERY serious problem of climate change.
And a political system that is corrupt, unbalanced and unrepresentative.
Each one of these problems exacerbates racial disparities and tensions.
I don’t know if Glenn thinks the market solves everything. But one can’t pretend these problems don’t exist. Especially if you’re into facing reality.
if you are familiar with his other writings and speeches, you would know he doesn't deny all these things. However, he is more objective in seeking the underlying causes as opposed to blanket statements that all inequalities are due to systemic racism that the government must step in to fix.
I get what he does say in the speech about race, and I don’t disagree with him. I was dealing with the many serious problems that impact race that he doesn't address. (I’ve been reading him for a long time, and in fact, I haven’t heard him address these points nearly enough in his podcasts.) You can only get so far by running against the race mongers. Still, if you’re committed to “facing reality,” you need to face all of it.