Best of 2021: On Social Justice
How To Avoid Another ‘Anti SJW’ Backlash
Let’s face it. The Anti-SJW movement was basically a backlash to the
demands and tactics of the social justice activists at that time. Given
that the backlash to certain social justice movements is still on the
increase, there is real worry that there could be a much bigger backlash
wave against all demands for progressive reform, in the not too distant
future. Many people, including even moderate conservatives, are now
truly worried that the pendulum would swing too hard the other way,
leading to a period of severe reactionarism the likes we haven’t seen in
the West for many decades. To prevent this outcome, I think we must
study what has caused the backlash, and what needs to be done in order
to calm it down.
How to End Racism Without Critical Race Theory
In conclusion, a cognitive based view of racism
and discrimination in general demands an active approach towards ending
racism, that requires equal commitment from everyone of us, regardless
of race. It is much better than critical race theory, because
it is evidence-based, it can improve things in a practical way without
over-philosophizing the problem, and it can be practiced and applied
regardless of anyone’s race, which makes it much less divisive, and
hence more acceptable to many people.
Opposing Critical Race Theory Doesn’t Mean Ignoring Racism
Opposing critical race theory doesn’t mean
ignoring racism. It doesn’t mean ignoring, or refusing to accurately
teach, the role of racial oppression in the history of America, Canada,
Australia, and other Western countries. It doesn’t mean
ignoring the racial discrimination that still exists throughout the West
today, or refusing to support the social change needed to end that
discrimination. Opposing critical race theory (or other types of
critical theory) merely means opposing a worldview that puts individuals
into rigid ‘classes’ based on their immutable characteristics. And I
believe that’s what’s actually needed to advance an anti-racist future.