“The opposite of racist isn’t ‘not racist.’ It is ‘anti-racist.’ What’s the difference? One endorses either the idea of a racial hierarchy as a racist, or racial equality as an anti-racist. One either believes problems are rooted in groups of people, as a racist, or locates the roots of problems in power and policies, as an anti-racist. One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an anti-racist. There is no in-between safe space of ‘not racist.” ~Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist & STAMPED: Racism, Antiracism, and You.

Please watch/read the items under ‘Required Material’ and answer 2-3 of the questions below.

Many countries like Germany, have been able to move their country forward after horrific atrocities. How do we solve systemic injustices in America and move forward? Which arguments between James Baldwin and William Buckley align with individual racism, which with institutional discrimination? What would be a current example where we see these arguments/perspectives used to justify public policy/laws? Can public policy alter “racial ideals”? If so, describe what the policy should entail. How does this thinking square with the First Amendment?

REQUIRED MATERIAL

Merry, R. (2020). What Is ‘Systemic Racism,’ Really? Retrieved on February 26, 2021 from https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/what-is-systemic-racism-really/

PBS NewsHour. (2020). Baldwin-Buckley race debate still resonates 55 years on. Retrieved on February 26, 2021 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRzkHgMaPL4 (Links to an external site.)

The Advocate. (2018). What Is Intersectionality? | Queer 101 | The Advocate. Retrieved on February 26, 2021 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXJ4Dbdm1ks (Links to an external site.)