It takes an idiot to fail to see that there are racists in 21st century America. It takes a redefinition to say that it's only white people. It takes an idiotic redefiner to determine that all white people and only white people are racists. But here we are, and simply writing that intro in America today will get me labeled as a racist just for disagreeing with the concept. My point, though, is that racism is a problem that we must address. We address it, they tell us, with antiracism. No, not just "not racist" -- antiracism. You need to oppose racism. Well, now, I suppose I'm fine with that. I am oposed to racists. Unfortunately, it appears these days that the solution is becoming the problem. It looks as if antiracism is making antiracism impossible.
Sounds silly, I know, but think about it. When antiracism meant "We need to oppose racism," just about anyone with any sense could get on board. It doesn't mean that anymore. Take, for instance, Ibram X. Kendi's book, How to Be an Antiracist. He says that the solution to racism is the elimination of democracy, capitalism, and traditional, biblical Christianity (among other things). He says that the answer to discrimination is discrimination and the answer to systemic racism is systemic racism. Take the recent example of the Libs of Tik Tok. They are a Twitter group with over 300,000 followers in less than a year and their position is if we are going to solve the racism in America, the only solution is ... the complete elimination of America. Take, for instance, the rewrite of the definition of racism. The dictionary says it means, "a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race." Do white people believe that? Some, to be sure. Do people of color believe that? Undoubtedly the same answer. So why have we redefined it to eliminate the problem on one side and not the other?
In response, of course, those people who may or may not be racist but are certainly seeing their lives, their families, their very existence being threatened feel the need to fight back. Some of those people are people of color. They believe the current "racism" definition is nonsense and the white hatred and America-hatred it breeds is nonsense and they say so. And they get categorized as racists. (Seriously, didn't we just decide that "white" was the only "racist"? And now we have people of color who are racist because they are opposed to "whites only" racism?) So the war heats up. People are forced to take positions and they end up being intractable positions. If "he" can't agree with "you," then "he" is now labeled "the enemy." If "she" doesn't say what "you" want her to, she is a traitor. If this group simply wants to defend their country, they are categorized as racist haters. These labels and their emotional baggage make it impossible to meet, to come to a conversation, to seek common ground. And the new "antiracism" becomes the killing field for anyone on either side seeking to address the real problem of racism. "No, black people cannot be racist." So that kind of hate and vitriol is good ... from that side. "Yes, all white people are racist." So those who have no racial bias can't address the problem and any attempt to do so merely confirms their racism ... which they didn't actually have. And so it goes.
I oppose racism. I am sickened when I hear of how people treat people of a different race solely because of race. I hate it when the pre-judgment is "You're evil" simply because "You're of 'that' race." And I don't care who is doing it; I hate it. But it doesn't matter. I'm a white guy, so I'm a racist and the only option for many under the current "antiracist" banner is simply that I should cease to exist. No cure. Just die. Surely you can see how that kind of thinking would be an impediment to any work on solving the problem.
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