#353 — Race & Reason

When you hear the word “bias,” you may think of a conscious form of prejudice—but the most potent biases are actually subconscious. These implicit biases are normal neurological responses to the culture you grow up in. In the United States, everyone encounters and encodes antiblack bias to some degree, even in black communities. This racial bias doesn’t just influence how you make decisions—it determines what you notice in your environment and what becomes invisible. And in high-stakes situations like police encounters, the consequences of racial bias can be devastating.

In this guide, we’ll discuss how your brain creates bias; how that bias impacts every area of your life, from where you live to how you post online; and, most importantly, how to combat implicit bias to create a fairer world for everyone. We’ll also compare Dr. Eberhardt’s research on racial bias to other popular books on racism such as How to Be an Antiracist and White Fragility.

Systemic racism may not be to blame in the deaths of George Floyd and other black Americans—and saying otherwise undermines law enforcement’s authority.

We need to talk about racism. But, for white people and people of color alike, talking about it can feel like navigating through a minefield. In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo offers a handbook on how to have intelligent, productive, empathetic conversations about race.

Our guide discusses and extends Oluo’s ideas for how to tackle these conversations, comparing and contrasting her ideas on race with those of her contemporaries. We also examine the research underlying Oluo’s arguments. You’ll learn about the school-to-prison pipeline, why touching someone’s hair can be a racist act, and what you can do to fight racial injustice through both conversations and practical actions.

Some states are banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and some companies face boycotts or criticism for implementing them. In this article, we’ll discuss arguments for and against DEI programming, and consider what might be done differently.

More than 50 years after the Civil Rights Movement and more than 14 years after electing its first Black president, why is the United States still divided along racial lines? That’s the central question of Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning, which argues that contrary to common wisdom, racism doesn’t begin with prejudice and hatred—it begins with self-serving policies whose proponents justify their actions by inventing racist ideas. Kendi, an African American Studies scholar, develops this claim by analyzing the history of racist ideas in the United States and offering readers a better understanding of how to combat contemporary racism.

In this guide, we’ll explore such insights as how enslavers convinced themselves that slavery benefited slaves and why most antiracist reformers harbored racist thoughts. Along the way, we’ll make connections between this book and Kendi’s later writings, and we’ll expand upon, and sometimes challenge, Kendi’s ideas by referring to other prominent writers on race such as Robin DiAngelo and Jennifer Eberhardt.

In Poverty, by America, social scientist Matthew Desmond writes that the United States, despite its vast wealth and prosperity, suffers from poverty and inequality unseen anywhere else in the developed world.

According to him, poverty in America persists because it benefits many Americans to keep a share of their fellow Americans in a state of want—and he issues a call to arms to readers to examine their role in benefiting from and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

In this guide, we’ll explore the key points raised by Desmond, including:

• The experience of poverty in America and its devastating social consequences
• The false explanations for why people are poor—and stay poor
• How non-poor Americans benefit from the poverty of their fellow Americans
• The choices we can make—both at a policy and individual level—to empower the poor and eradicate poverty

Throughout the guide, we’ll supplement Desmond’s findings with arguments from other poverty scholars, journalists, and economists—both to provide additional support and context for Desmond’s ideas, and to challenge his conclusions.

Immerse yourself in a thought-provoking conversation about freedom of speech, censorship, and the impact of cancel culture on society in an episode of the Lex Fridman Podcast. The dialogue between Greg Lukianoff, a First Amendment specialist and Lex Fridman, uncovers the complex challenges surrounding these issues, further highlighting the significance of fostering understanding and congenial discourse amid divergent viewpoints. From exploring the organizational commitments towards freedom of speech to the consequences of viewpoint discrimination, tune in for an engaging exchange that delves into the core of our societal fabric.

This enlightening discourse also scrutinizes the role of digital media in shaping contemporary perspectives. It dissects the challenges of living in the digital age and its impact on mental health, personal growth, and the potential dangers of silencing opposite views. Lukianoff and Fridman also discuss the current issues in the academic and education sector, while reflecting on personal experiences and the implications on mental health. This episode brings to light the critical issues that are often overlooked in our rapidly evolving society.

Elite colleges and universities in the US typically accept less than 10% of applicants, but their influence stretches far beyond this small group. In Excellent Sheep, author and former Yale professor William Deresiewicz makes the case that these institutions’ influence is negative. He argues that they’re so selective and profit-oriented that they contribute to social inequality and deprive students of high-quality learning.

In this guide, we’ll examine two problems with elite US colleges and universities and explain why Deresiewicz claims they harm both society and students. Then, we’ll explore solutions by describing how governments, schools, and parents can collectively overhaul US higher education—and how today’s students can make the most of their college years in the meantime. As we explore these ideas, we’ll fact-check the author’s claims by providing both supportive evidence and counterexamples. We’ll also discuss ways in which some elite US schools have changed since the publication of Excellent Sheep in 2014. Furthermore, we’ll supplement the author’s ideas with actionable steps.

Since the 2016 election, America has witnessed college campus protests against “controversial” or “dangerous” speakers. The Coddling of the American Mind explores this phenomenon, showing how a set of dangerous and false beliefs have taken root in the minds of today’s college students, convincing these young people that they are inherently fragile and must be protected from the allegedly harmful impacts of speech with which they disagree. This attitude threatens academic freedom, undermines democracy, and is ultimately harmful to the social and emotional development of today’s youth.

Dive into the inner workings of the GOP as Ben Shapiro hosts a compelling lineup of conservative voices, including Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, in "The Ben Shapiro Show." This episode delves deep into the aftershocks of Donald Trump's tenure, exploring the indelible mark he has left on the party, and the finesse with which rising Republican figures navigate their association with his contentious legacy. Shapiro's acute insights dissect the strategic positioning and policy orientations of the candidates, setting the stage for a robust debate that encapsulates the party's ongoing introspective battle.

Witness firsthand the eclectic mix of analysis, ranging from the vital ideological facets shaping current Republican thought to the nuanced discussions on domestic and international policy issues. The show casts a critical eye over media influence and academic responses to divisive issues, presenting a holistic examination of contemporary conservative politics. All the while, Shapiro interweaves this complex narrative with strategic promotions, ensuring an engaging and informative experience for his audience that transcends political commentary and taps into the broader scope of conservative lifestyle and entertainment.

Since the 2016 election, America has witnessed college campus protests against “controversial” or “dangerous” speakers. The Coddling of the American Mind explores this phenomenon, showing how a set of dangerous and false beliefs have taken root in the minds of today’s college students, convincing these young people that they are inherently fragile and must be protected from the allegedly harmful impacts of speech with which they disagree. This attitude threatens academic freedom, undermines democracy, and is ultimately harmful to the social and emotional development of today’s youth.

In a stirring edition of "The Ben Shapiro Show," host Ben Shapiro takes a hard-hitting look at anti-Semitism within both academic institutions and political arenas. With a lineup including Bella Ingber and Ayal Yakobe as guest speakers, Shapiro delves into the struggles Jewish students face in today's colleges, grappling with a culture that often turns a hostile eye towards Israel and its supporters. Through anecdotes and student experiences, this episode bravely exposes the harsh realities that permeate educational settings, laying bare the violent discrimination that goes largely unaddressed.

Beyond the walls of academia, Shapiro does not shy away from challenging governmental actions, scrutinizing Democratic Party officials like Jerry Nadler for inadequate responses to anti-Semitic sentiments among their ranks. The show pivots to broader societal concerns, critically assessing the media's portrayal of Israel's defense efforts, the FBI's role in information regulation, and the government's hand in censorship. With a voice advocating for free expression and an examination of Daily Wire Plus's commitment to uncensored content, this poignant discussion serves as a rallying cry for media consumption that courageously tackles the complex intertwining of culture, politics, and the necessity of defending free speech and democratic values.

When you hear the word “bias,” you may think of a conscious form of prejudice—but the most potent biases are actually subconscious. These implicit biases are normal neurological responses to the culture you grow up in. In the United States, everyone encounters and encodes antiblack bias to some degree, even in black communities. This racial bias doesn’t just influence how you make decisions—it determines what you notice in your environment and what becomes invisible. And in high-stakes situations like police encounters, the consequences of racial bias can be devastating.

In this guide, we’ll discuss how your brain creates bias; how that bias impacts every area of your life, from where you live to how you post online; and, most importantly, how to combat implicit bias to create a fairer world for everyone. We’ll also compare Dr. Eberhardt’s research on racial bias to other popular books on racism such as How to Be an Antiracist and White Fragility.

White fragility is the phenomenon by which white people become angry, defensive, or hostile when confronted with the idea that they are complicit in systemic racism. In White Fragility, author Robin DiAngelo examines its origins in the failure of white society to understand the structural nature of racism, explores the history of the existing racial hierarchy, and makes a powerful case for why it is incumbent upon white people to accept their individual and collective responsibility for white supremacy—and to do the difficult work of challenging it.

In How to Be an Antiracist, author Ibram X. Kendi takes readers through his journey to become an antiracist—a person who believes that all racial groups are equal and supports policies that reduce inequity. Antiracists acknowledge that there are differences between races, but these differences aren’t responsible for inequities—policies are.

Kendi, like many of us, grew up in a racist society and internalized many of its ideas. As a result, despite being Black, he was racist himself throughout much of his life. In How to Be an Antiracist, he describes how he changed his thoughts and actions to become antiracist, and how you can do the same. Our commentary explores how racism became so deeply ingrained in our culture and why it’s so hard for us to let go of our racist ideas on an individual level. We’ll also suggest some specific ways you can implement Kendi’s ideas and start taking antiracist action.