Amber—I strongly disagree with this take. Almost everything that EAs try to talk about dispassionately and objectively could be talked about reactively and emotionally with great intensity, if we didn’t show enormous self-control and self-awareness -- and that would ruin the entire ethos and culture of EA Forum.
Everyone who really, deeply values animal welfare could react emotionally to every discussion of that topic. Every who really, deeply dreads global thermonuclear war could react emotionally to every discussion of that topics. And so on. The whole point of the EA movement is to try to grapple with extremely large-scale, high-stakes problems that most people can’t think about rationally or empirically, using reason and evidence as best we can.
There’s nothing intrinsically or uniquely emotional about race differences issues, apart from the current cultural context that racism in Western liberal academic cultures is uniquely stigmatized compared to every other moral failing in modern life.
“racism in Western liberal academic cultures is uniquely stigmatized compared to every other moral failing in modern life.”
According to the Collins Dictionary: “If someone or something is stigmatized, they are unfairly regarded by many people as being bad or having something to be ashamed of.” In essence, when you argue that racism is being unjustly singled out among a myriad of other moral failings, you are suggesting that it is not as important or as bad as it is made to be.
However, it’s crucial to understand the gravity and the pervasive nature of racism. Racism is not just a moral failing; it is a systemic issue that has been deeply ingrained in societies for centuries. It has tangible and detrimental effects on the lives of individuals, communities, and entire societies. It affects access to resources, opportunities, and justice, and it perpetuates inequality and division.
While it’s true that there are many other moral failings that deserve attention and rectification, the focus on racism does not imply that these other issues are less important or less harmful. Rather, the emphasis on racism is a reflection of its widespread impact and the urgent need for change.
Therefore, it’s not accurate or fair to say that racism is being unjustly singled out or stigmatized. Instead, the spotlight on racism is a necessary and justified part of the broader struggle for justice, equality, and moral integrity.
Racism’s Historical and Ongoing Impact: Racism has had a profound and lasting impact on marginalized communities, from slavery and colonization to modern-day systemic racism. Its effects are pervasive and long-lasting, affecting every aspect of life, from education and employment to health and housing. This is not to say that other moral failings are not important, but the scope and scale of racism’s impact make it a particularly urgent issue to address.
Racism is Systemic: Unlike many other moral failings, racism is not just an individual failing but a systemic one. It is embedded in our institutions, policies, and practices, making it much more difficult to eradicate. This systemic nature of racism makes it unique and requires a unique response.
Racism Affects a Large Number of People: Racism affects entire racial and ethnic groups, not just individuals. This means that the number of people affected by racism is potentially much larger than the number of people affected by many other moral failings.
Racism is Often Invisible to Those Not Affected: Unlike many other moral failings, racism can often be invisible to those who are not directly affected by it. This can make it more difficult to recognize and address, and may also contribute to the perception that it is being “uniquely stigmatized.”
Addressing Racism is a Matter of Justice: Given the historical and ongoing harm caused by racism, addressing it is a matter of justice. This is not about “stigmatizing” racism more than other moral failings, but about seeking to right historical wrongs and create a more equitable society.
Racism’s Intersectionality: Racism often intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as sexism, classism, and homophobia. This intersectionality means that addressing racism can also help to address these other forms of discrimination.
Discriminatory Lending Practices: Systemic racism is evident in the financial sector, where discriminatory lending practices have historically disadvantaged racial minorities, particularly Black communities. This practice, known as redlining, was a systemic way to enforce economic disparities that are still felt today.
These examples underscore the systemic nature of racism and its long-term impacts. It’s not just about individual acts of prejudice, but about systems and policies that perpetuate racial disparities. Therefore, the focus on racism in academic discussions and policies is not an unfair concentration, but a necessary effort to address these deeply ingrained injustices.
Amber—I strongly disagree with this take. Almost everything that EAs try to talk about dispassionately and objectively could be talked about reactively and emotionally with great intensity, if we didn’t show enormous self-control and self-awareness -- and that would ruin the entire ethos and culture of EA Forum.
Everyone who really, deeply values animal welfare could react emotionally to every discussion of that topic. Every who really, deeply dreads global thermonuclear war could react emotionally to every discussion of that topics. And so on. The whole point of the EA movement is to try to grapple with extremely large-scale, high-stakes problems that most people can’t think about rationally or empirically, using reason and evidence as best we can.
There’s nothing intrinsically or uniquely emotional about race differences issues, apart from the current cultural context that racism in Western liberal academic cultures is uniquely stigmatized compared to every other moral failing in modern life.
“racism in Western liberal academic cultures is uniquely stigmatized compared to every other moral failing in modern life.”
According to the Collins Dictionary: “If someone or something is stigmatized, they are unfairly regarded by many people as being bad or having something to be ashamed of.” In essence, when you argue that racism is being unjustly singled out among a myriad of other moral failings, you are suggesting that it is not as important or as bad as it is made to be.
However, it’s crucial to understand the gravity and the pervasive nature of racism. Racism is not just a moral failing; it is a systemic issue that has been deeply ingrained in societies for centuries. It has tangible and detrimental effects on the lives of individuals, communities, and entire societies. It affects access to resources, opportunities, and justice, and it perpetuates inequality and division.
While it’s true that there are many other moral failings that deserve attention and rectification, the focus on racism does not imply that these other issues are less important or less harmful. Rather, the emphasis on racism is a reflection of its widespread impact and the urgent need for change.
Therefore, it’s not accurate or fair to say that racism is being unjustly singled out or stigmatized. Instead, the spotlight on racism is a necessary and justified part of the broader struggle for justice, equality, and moral integrity.
Racism’s Historical and Ongoing Impact: Racism has had a profound and lasting impact on marginalized communities, from slavery and colonization to modern-day systemic racism. Its effects are pervasive and long-lasting, affecting every aspect of life, from education and employment to health and housing. This is not to say that other moral failings are not important, but the scope and scale of racism’s impact make it a particularly urgent issue to address.
Racism is Systemic: Unlike many other moral failings, racism is not just an individual failing but a systemic one. It is embedded in our institutions, policies, and practices, making it much more difficult to eradicate. This systemic nature of racism makes it unique and requires a unique response.
Racism Affects a Large Number of People: Racism affects entire racial and ethnic groups, not just individuals. This means that the number of people affected by racism is potentially much larger than the number of people affected by many other moral failings.
Racism is Often Invisible to Those Not Affected: Unlike many other moral failings, racism can often be invisible to those who are not directly affected by it. This can make it more difficult to recognize and address, and may also contribute to the perception that it is being “uniquely stigmatized.”
Addressing Racism is a Matter of Justice: Given the historical and ongoing harm caused by racism, addressing it is a matter of justice. This is not about “stigmatizing” racism more than other moral failings, but about seeking to right historical wrongs and create a more equitable society.
Racism’s Intersectionality: Racism often intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as sexism, classism, and homophobia. This intersectionality means that addressing racism can also help to address these other forms of discrimination.
Discriminatory Lending Practices: Systemic racism is evident in the financial sector, where discriminatory lending practices have historically disadvantaged racial minorities, particularly Black communities. This practice, known as redlining, was a systemic way to enforce economic disparities that are still felt today.
These examples underscore the systemic nature of racism and its long-term impacts. It’s not just about individual acts of prejudice, but about systems and policies that perpetuate racial disparities. Therefore, the focus on racism in academic discussions and policies is not an unfair concentration, but a necessary effort to address these deeply ingrained injustices.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_mayer_racial-discrimination-in-the-auto-loan-market.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiWyoKan4uAAxVPjokEHZu3A40QFnoECBoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1LcOmY7hyAvTSzFwLX6qwf
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/supmanual/cch/fair_lend_fhact.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiCvcKV9IuAAxXUJ0QIHQeCChMQFnoECA8QBg&usg=AOvVaw052K3my-40HyxPrS_Cqf6t