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  1. It Bears MentioningJohn McWhorter4/12/2134 min
    11 reads8 comments
    7.8
    It Bears Mentioning
    11 reads
    7.8
    You must read the article before you can comment on it.
    • jeff2 years ago

      This is going to push a lot of people's buttons. I was going to say something about "all voices deserving to be heard" but I don't think I actually believe that. If you're trolling, being insincere, or even just not putting in the effort, you don't deserve anything.

      I don't think there's any way to accuse McWhorter of any of those things. His writing comes across as incredibly honest and heartfelt. I think the fact that he's going against the grain with such consideration makes this a piece deserving of everyone's attention, regardless of whether or not you agree with him or reach any of the same conclusions.

      • Karenz2 years ago

        I agree with you, Jeff. I didn’t know who Mc Whorter was and had to Google him to see if he were African American because I couldn’t imagine a white person daring to write that article. I don’t think a “victim mentality” is helpful to any of us however well-deserved it may be. I grew up right after World War 2 and read endlessly about the Holocaust. Whatever you can say about slavery, the Holocaust has it matched for savagery, brutality, prejudice of the most incomprehensible kind. A Jewish parent or Gypsy could count themselves lucky if they could at least be right with their child and hold their hand so they didn’t face the gas chamber alone. What we need currently is some kind of perspective, sane policies that advance people in their lives, honest evaluation on all sides, an end to demonization whether it’s of police or different races. Let it be ok to say that Derek Chauvin committed second degree murder but the shooting of Daunte Wright was a tragic accident. Good luck giving police sensitivity training when they daily see the worst of what we humans can do to ourselves and each other. We can no longer disagree without being called racist. We cannot have honest discussions. McWhorter may be right that there is a religion of the Elect and God help you if you’re an infidel. I think this article is brave and more than timely.

    • DellwoodBarker2 years ago

      Very simply I found this read tedious and bland on a Very Important and Relevant Topic. I just found myself wanting it to be over and not fully engaged due to the writing. It feels like it is trying too hard to be academic without really reaching/teaching the Everyman. I just wanted it to be over, but not the topic.

      1. Update (4/16/2021):

        Pretentious; it reads pretentious to me.

    • turtlebubble2 years ago

      I’m not offended by this opinion and think that all Black perspectives on Black issues should definitely be heard and considered. I don’t think as a white person I really want to have an opinion personally aside from listening and trying to do as little harm as possible. The timing did make me a little uncomfortable as another unarmed Black man was just murdered by police in the same city that Chauvin’s trial is taking place.. I guess I do have a personal opinion but it’s based on my community and the Black people I know who are scared and upset by how our country and media seems to view Black life as disposable and so that is my focus & I don’t want to lose it by critiquing how their pain manifests.. I don’t think the article gave enough evidence to support the idea that all perspectives that include the acknowledgment of systemic racism and micro aggressions are not based in “truth.” I think there’s been tons of evidence and discussion recently about how inherently subjective ‘truth’ and ‘facts’ can be.

      • DellwoodBarker2 years ago

        I dig this comment. Excellent expression.

      • bill
        Top reader of all time
        2 years ago

        Thoughtful and thought-provoking comment. One of the hardest things about engaging deeply with the toughest (most emotional) issues of the day is that there's never really a good time.

        What makes racism so insidious is that it's hard to define, identify, pin down - in ourselves, first of all, let alone others - which makes it hard to root out, which is what pretty much everyone, everywhere wants.

    • bill
      Top reader of all time
      2 years ago

      Ok - this is interesting. Probably going to AOTD, which I'm happy about. Eager to hear what others think.

      I mostly nodded along, but I wish the tone was 30% softer. Use of words like "idiot" and "crazy" kinda peeved me here and there, but I guess I wouldn't trade out the passion for more neutral language.

      This is a big nut to crack. I don't think it's quite as cut and dry as the author supposes, mainly because both sides adhere to a philosophy that has some pre-existing, foretold-in-advance pessimism built in. And it seems undeniable that both sides genuinely want to help black people.

      As always, honest writing and careful reading are pretty much the only way forward. I'm still genuinely scratching my head about whether or not White Fragility is a step forward or backward, but the reality is that it's probably just a lot of both. 🤷‍♂️

    • [user]2 years ago

      This comment was deleted on 9/17/2021