I am afraid the FP is becoming too one sided covering the fuck ups of the Dems and left while ignoring Trump and the republican party.....This is no longer true "As an aside, this is in part why The Free Press is necessary. If there’s a conspiracy of silence around a topic, that’s what we want to puncture. We’re not driven by which side gains or loses from our publishing the truth. We side with the truth, convenient or inconvenient, popular or unpopular. And we’re grateful to you for supporting that mission. —NB ?
I subscribe to Bari Weiss because I believe we have to support her message which is honest and real. I may not always agree with her (although, so far, hard to argue with her logic) her authenticity and honesty must be supported. I will do my best to encourage support for this newsletter.
This will be the pettiest comment you receive on this installment--or any other, I hope. I was disappointed to see you identify the time for your Tuesday chat as EST. We are in EDT (or CDT, etc.). In fact, we are in DST for the majority of the year, so the logical time zone mistake should be EDT. I have a simple solution: just use ET, it will never be wrong!
BTW, I'm loving your newsletter. I think you are achieving your goal of honest coverage, independent thought, admitted partiality topic by topic. I want to say, "You go, girl!" but I'm afraid that might a forbidden phrase in Wokespeak.
😄 Bari is not alone! I only recently started needing to pay attention to scheduled times (via email) across the US to keep up with upcoming Workshops (Braver Angels) etc.. I'm afraid to ask how long the designation for 'Daylight Savings Time' has been in place! 😅
I don't remember, but I might have even had to look it up.🙄 But I've "got it" now!
Hi Bari... Hey, I admit it, I'm kinda ignorant. I didn't even know who you were until I heard about you bailing out of the Times on principle. So, I didn't have a clue where to set the bar of expectations in joining your newsletter. I tossed in my fifty bucks purely on solidarity. And so far, so good! You are indeed well on your way to publishing the best opinion page in the country. And, to your promise of writing meaty intros to other peoples work, I say this: I had lunch today in a pretty swanky joint, and the ribeye I had was on the menu at 57 bucks. Yeah, it was pretty good. But it's gone now, and you are still here. The value proposition is obvious. Keep the meatiness coming!
All admirable goals that I am happy to contribute and help you accomplish in any way.
To a certain extent, Trumpism and wokeism are two sides of the same coin. It's time for the adults in the room to take back the wheel from extremists on both sides. People who insist on drilling through misinformation and wokeism to make rational decisions based on logic, truth and facts / data. People who strictly adhere to a set of principles and values, refusing to buckle under the weight of exaggerated criticism.
I love this country and I believe most of the people in it are genuinely good and honest. Thank you for reminding me of that.
"Systems" are designed by people. People are imperfect. Therefore, any system designed by people will be imperfect. It then follows that something that is inherently imperfect, while useful, should never be imbued with unlimited power.
That is, IMO, the genius of the founding documents of the US. They realized government is essential, but the government will devolve to naked imposition of power if not constrained.
People on the right know that mankind will not/cannot be perfect, and prefer "systems" that have built in limits. People on the left believe that while mankind cannot be perfect, behavior can be made to be "perfect" with sufficient assertion of power.
Of course, the position of those on the left is really "we are perfect and so have a divine right to unlimited power so that we can make your behavior perfect."
I appreciate, very much, your contribution to this discussion with one small, but important, statement.
I have never been a big fan of "labels", they are far too inadequate to describe or capture the complexity of any human being. I was taught to get to know, really KNOW (which takes an extended period of time), someone before deciding the depth of their character and "who" they are. That is a lesson I have carried with me throughout my 63 years of life and it has proven to be true and serve me very well.
As someone who voted for Donald Trump (after MUCH prayer and inner conflict) I was very saddened by people who wanted to tell me "who I am", based solely on my choice for President. They had no idea the painful process I went through to "do what I considered the 'right' thing". Our life experiences have very much to do with the molding of our perspectives. And that is not a stagnate process! I was incredulous that people could even admit that they were so shallow as to place ALL Conservatives into one camp. Not only was it frustrating, but very disappointing.
When we make definitive statements putting all people into one category, that is a grave injustice to the beauty and complexity of each of us as individuals. I truly believe that most people do the best that they know how at a given point in time. I continue to "become" with each new day of life. If I'm not learning then I must be dead!
Don't get me wrong. The convenience of labels is a big reason that we use them, but the convenience is not worth mischaracterizing those who don't fit neatly into the label used.
While I do believe that you might have accurately pegged some on the left, I respect my fellow human beings enough to not "assume" what I have no possible way of knowing. My Daddy wisely advised me not to make assumptions, so as not to make an "ass out of u and me". 😊 Thankfully, that lesson proved to be true only a couple of times before I fully understood what he was telling me. I try to do onto others as I would want them to do onto me.
I agree Rita, or at least I did 15 years ago. I am saddened by what I have seen over the last 15 years from "the left". I've read 6 books in the last few months from left, right, and center authors. They have all validated my conclusion that those driving the left don't want co-existence, don't want compromise, and don't want debate. They want "the right" gone (forced underground) - literally. I know this group probably comprises only 20% of the left, but the remaining 80% remains quiet. If the right is to survive, and I believe the country is more "right" than "left" (but not by all that much - maybe 7-10%), it must recognize the war that has been thrust upon it and act accordingly. This dynamic has played out over and over again in the political arena. I've watched "leaders" like John Boehner, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and others continually give ground in hopes of a reciprocity that never happens. It reminds me of the "grand bargain" Reagan made with Tip O'Neill and the Dems never held up their end of the bargain. In fact, what ends up happening is the left takes every "give" from the right and only demands more. Chauvin was just found guilty and already the voices are loud: "it's not enough". I know we have more work to do on race relations (I've been the subject of black racism towards whites, by the way, so I know it goes all ways because everyone, and I mean everyone, has their own biases) but at least they could have said something like "it's a good step and let's see what happens from here". Cancel culture runs rampant and "the left" sees nothing wrong with it. If it goes much further, I will get REALLY ugly. It also is maddening to me to see that those driving the left seem to give no credit to the incredible good that the US, including its white citizens", have done for the world. No country in the history of the world has done more good for more people around the world for a longer period of time than has the US. And if you are looking for a model of "social progress", you can't do any better than the US. I was just talking to a friend of mine who spent 3 years in refugee camps for Vietnamese people who expressed the same sentiment. I have had many talks with a friend of mine who grew up hiding in the basement to sleep at night in Beirut due to the civil war who says the same thing. I grew up across the street from someone who was able to escape the Soviet Union and he was always astonished at how much credit the US was not given.
I am starting to see glimmers of the 80% of the left starting to speak up, with Bari, who I think is terrific, being a leading voice.
My own motto is "keep on hand open and extended, and the other back and clenched in a fist".
Neil, Thank you so much for your thoughtful and very enlightening response. Really! If there is one thing that I have learned in becoming more active in these dialogs, it is how very little I know about the depths and history of the politics of our country. I readily admit to my ignorance because I don't have to remain so.
You have given me more "food-for-thought", and I hear the conviction and frustration you are experiencing. I also agree that we all have biases; the blatant ones are easier to recognize and work against, but there are still those, unknown even to ourselves, that we must stand guard against.
I have often thought how much easier it would be if I could just pour my personal knowledge (experience) into the hearts and minds of others to help them see me as an individual trying just as hard as everyone else to find the right path.
Thank you for sharing about the personal relationships that have helped to inform your understanding of how others view the United States. I think those are such important and essential voices to add to the discussion. Only those who have lived through more politically difficult environments can speak to the experience of countries outside of our own.
My Mama is native Italian and came to the United States with my Dad (an American Soldier) and me after their marriage and my birth. She was a very young 19 years old and spoke no English at all.
Having Italian relatives was a wonderful cultural experience and really helped me to appreciate cultural differences while also understanding that, as human beings, we have many of the same challenges regardless of all else.
I also would not have been exposed to the hope that so many have for coming to America. My Zio (Uncle) always spoke dreamily of one day traveling to America. He passed before accomplishing that, but America is a destination so many talk about wanting to experience.
No, America is far from perfection (but I'm a believer that perfection only happens in heaven) but, like you, I feel disappointment in what seems to be a denial of the progress in race relations that we have made. That does not mean that we don't still have work to do, just as you said. But the ANGRY VOICES override and seem to ignore the progress that has been made. They seem more bent on revenge than true change. We should never stop trying to do better, because with human beings that is a never ending and needful goal.
There is an old saying, "If you give an inch they'll take a mile." And a similar one concerns "the slippery slope". I think both sides feel insecurity about how far the other will go given any amount of compromise. And it is a difficult issue due to the way we have seen some things go . For me, personally, the issue of Abortion which started out allowable only in the first trimester but has now come to an unthinkable progression, is a case in point.
But I don't want that to taint my belief that not all things would go that far. We are a diverse people who occupy the same homeland and who need to work for the good of all, striking a difficult balance.
I do agree that change, most commonly, comes from loud voices calling for needed changes. I have learned so much about how removed I am from certain societal issues that are unlikely to affect me. But, the beat-down and seeming lack of mercy toward those who don't fully agree, sometimes due to honest ignorance of the fullness of the issue, seems destructive and evil in it's intent. It's difficult to believe their methods will produce anything other than oppression and resentment. If the heart isn't changed it's unlikely to be a lasting change, and coercion is NOT the way.
But another thing that I have seen by becoming involved with BRAVER ANGELS, which led me to Bari and others, is that there ARE many people who voted differently from one another but are realizing how divisive the media was in encouraging our divide. They are now understanding how the chosen narrative, even within the media, had a hand in bringing us to this unbelievable and regretful place.
Those of us who truly love our country, imperfect as it is, and want to work for it's survival, must stand together against the extremes that will destroy the civility we have enjoyed in times past and can once again enjoy in even more enlightened ways.
Let us be cautious to recognize the true enemies of America's survival and march with those of sincere good will for the good of ALL Americans, different though we might be.
That’s a bit oversimplified. The left and I’d say a good part of the total population believes in progressivism. We are imperfect, the system is imperfect, but we are always, ideally, advancing in the direction of perfection. That’s why America was labeled exceptional. The constitution, freedom, abundance and intellectual vigor of our youthful nation made us, seemingly, different than any other nation that arose before us. This period, now, where a vocal group of regressives have captured the megaphone is an anomaly. Maybe it signals that we are doomed to fail, or maybe it’s a blip in our history and will soon be shown to have been one of those inevitable pauses progress takes to catch its breath.
"This period, now, where a vocal group of regressives have captured the megaphone is an anomaly."
Is it? I would argue the reason we have the system of government we do, and the bill of rights is because the founders understood that man's natural inclination is to reduce the freedom of others.
See for example the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. With many many examples in the years since, from the unconstitutional war on drugs (where is the amendment authorizing the federal government to do this), to unconstitutional attempts to muzzle speech, to all the anti gun laws that seem to struggle with "shall not be infringed". Oh and let's not forget all the government spying on people without warrants.
Every year, every day, people must stand up for freedom, not just for themselves, but for those they disagree with.
I don't think it's oversimplified: except, possibly, for the use of "divine". When compared to history, the parallels are stunning. I sure hope the current insanity is an anomaly. But I know enough history to know a small, loud group can seize power and quickly change history for the worse. Over time, perhaps 300-500 years recovery will occur and in 1,000 years I have confidence in what will be the dominant political/economic structure in the world. Getting there could be difficult and bloody.
Russia in the early 20th century, China in the cultural revolution, Iraq when Saddam took over, Venezuela and Hugo Chavez, Cambodia and Pol Pot, Iran, Chile, France during the Reign of Terror...the list is long. It doesn't matter how long it lasts, the damage that is done is massive. What may be an anomaly in historic terms is still a major, brutal, shock to those who live through it.
First. Yes. It would be horrible to live through something like the cultural revolution or be starved to death because a national leader was unwise. But then again, it’s brutal to die from cancer or to be homeless and drug addicted. Depends on the frame. Personal, local, national, world. Notice that the examples you gave are all national. They didn’t bleed over to other nations. Their ideology didn’t sell and was soon discarded. In history, over the ages, that’s all you can ask for. Always bending towards freedom, justice and equality.
Now a personal question. Your emails are listed as section230stan. Did you change your name or is there a glitch in the system?
I don't know anyone who thinks mankind can be perfect. I've never heard anyone say that. Who do you have in mind. Can you point out these people who think mankind can be made perfect?
Lots of ideologies have proposed a blissful utopia. You can start with monotheism and go to Marx (the communist new man) and end with the intellectually challenged wokes who are advocating cyrpto-fascism and racial socialism.
I read this: "People on the left believe that while mankind cannot be perfect, behavior can be made to be "perfect" with sufficient assertion of power."
I don't know anyone who thinks that way. I'm on the left. I certainly don't think that way. I know plenty of people who would like to change other people's minds through persuasion. Of course, that's what Evangelicals are all about, right? Changing people's hearts and minds? I think what you mean is that we on the left would like to convince people on the right that white privilege is a real phenomenon, and that you don't have to have individual racists to have institutional racism in a society. But we're not using force to do it. Unless you're referring to social pressure. as "force". Is that what you meant to say?
It would take me an hour to explain. I started by reading the major themes of CRT at wikipedia. But one example: They question the value of basing everything in life on reason alone. They see this as a sort of White way of seeing the world. This might sound odd, but Buddhists (and other religious traditions) question the value of reason, artists question the value of reason, athletes and musicians go by intuition more than reason. They have a point.
I should add that I asked for the "reason" why CRT is positive. Since you can't think of any (if you can't describe any social idea succinctly and clearly, rest assured that it is generally BS), you embarked on attacking 'reason' itself. Nice segway, Matt!
I can understand that artists and religionists would have an issue with reason as the foundation of their ideas are subjective, psychological, and emotion-based. Theology ultimately rejects reason or it would not survive.
To call reason 'whiteness' is extremely condescending and quite reactionary. I come from the Middle East where Islam and 'spiritualism' rules. The result has been poverty, hunger, backwardness, and illiteracy. So much for non-reason. Despite this, 'reason' is held at the highest level by the masses, and is taken for granted and a necessity as a matter of discourse. What is 'whiteness' about that? Are you saying that reasoning is dismissed in non-white societies? Tell that to any person in the 3rd world and they will call you a racist and a colonialist.
You have to understand that non-reason may be acceptable at the individual level (artists, spiritualists, athletes, etc.). But at the socio-political level, non-reason leads to injustice and totalitarianism. At the economic level, non-reason leads to poverty. Surely you rather be treated by a surgeon than a witch doctor. Even in sports, physics (reason) is 99% of the works. Music is based on mathematical structures. So don't let anyone sell you this snake oil and call reason whiteness. As an individual, you are protected to act as irrationally as you wish (as long as you don't harm the rights of others). Liberal democracy guarantees that, because it is based upon an enlightened reasonable moral code. The minute society does away with reason, you will be thrown into the depths of barbarianism, fascism, communism, abject poverty, insecurity, and naturally totalitarianism.
The questioning of reason is not a new phenomena and pops its head in every age. Earliest mention of that goes back to the Sophists of Greece at the time of Socrates. As you can imagine, it is a favorite tool of sophistry.
Questioning of reason has a new philosophic name: post-modernism. It was developed in literary and artistic circles of post-WWII France, and its luminaries were Derrida and Foucault. CRT has actually borrowed this tenet from the post-modernists, and it is not an invention of CRT per se. But is used by CRT to deflect criticism that address its inconsistency and its dependence on subjective phenomena. I think it suffices to say that honest Marxists such as Habermas, Chomsky, and Zizek are the strongest critics of post-modernism, as being "reactionary". The central reason that humanity has progressed to achieve enlightenment, liberalism, and civil society is because discourse has been based on reason. Imagine if in a court of law, the judge ruled based on his/her whims and what was had for breakfast.
You have it mostly correct. But, in fact, the left believes you can force people to perfect their behavior (your twisted obsession with "white privilege" is just one example), with perfect defined solely by the left and subject to change at a moments notice. Tyranny always begins with "social pressure". When people lose their job for asking a question, or disagreeing: when mobs use the threat of violence (urged on by leaders of the Democrat party) to achieve their ends: when people get harassed for simply not taking a stand that leftists want them to take: that is "force". The left is clearly, quickly, and undebate-ably taking the US down the road to tyranny. In short, the guiding philosophy of the left is now "might makes right". Keep this in mind - moral superiority is fleeting; they will eventually come for you, too.
I, too, Neil have felt a sense of demand for "instantaneous" conformity. It is truly baffling to me that any critically thinking person can believe that this would bring about LASTING change.
All living things, that I'm aware of, need a period of growth before coming to full fruition.
My opinion here: the left doesn't want to change "hearts and minds"; they want control. They can make their desired change in behavior last as long as they have power. They truly do not care about individuals (look at the history of governance and policy in democrat led cities - leadership that has been for decades: abysmal on every front) and their route to power is to turn groups against each other. But for that to be stopped, nearly all groups have to recognize that; groups on the left do not, from what I see.
Again, we are starting to see glimmers of change and I hope this grows to be a force that outweighs that of the dividers. But I will not unilaterally "disarm" in hopes the the other side will reciprocate. It's going to be small steps.
That is why the Left is said to be elitist. Because they have a very high opinion of themselves (the Kruger Dennings (sp?) syndrome) and a low opinion of the masses, and believe they can install a utopia for the benefit of the masses, as long as they are in charge and have power. They believe it is rather simple to organize society once racism, misogyny, etc. are removed. So much naivete never amassed within one group of people, except for maybe among religious fundamentalists.
This was really nicely put, and I’m going to appropriate it to use in my own arguments, hope you don’t mind. I’m on the left, and I’m definitely not alone in agreeing with this sentiment - wish you wouldn’t paint us all with the same broad brush. There are many of us who do not align with the illiberalism of the activist far left. (If that’s the right term - I’m not sure how to label anything anymore, including myself!)
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"Systems" are designed by people. People are imperfect. Therefore, any system designed by people will be imperfect. It then follows that something that is inherently imperfect, while useful, should never be imbued with unlimited power.
I am what would be described as an almost classic liberal; I call myself a JFK Democrat. I differentiate between liberals, which you seem to be, and leftists that seem to dominate the Democrat party these days. "The left" in the US these days is decidedly illiberal, and probably fascist, IMO.
Over the last five years, the definition of "fascist" has become quite broad and was applied to pretty much anything with which the left disagreed - even asking uncomfortable questions is now considered fascist by the left. Disagreeing with the left is now considered fascist by the left. So I'm just running with that.
"So what exactly do we mean when we say “systemic racism”? Does what I’ve described above meet critics’ definition? If not, why? It’s a rich question worthy of further discussion in these digital pages."
I tend to think in analogies and metaphors, so here we go.
This reminds me of the way that "there's too much plastic in the world" has turned into "individuals bear the individual responsibility to not use plastic straws" instead of "multi-billion dollar corporations must be held to strict standards for plastic manufacture and use."
Not only does this focus put the onus on the least powerful people in the world -- individuals -- to solve a trillion-dollar problem, but it almost guarantees that the least amount of progress will be made because let's face it, one plastic straw means nothing when the actual problem is the zillions of pounds of plastic being created by corporations that managed to greenwash us into all thinking that we can toss our plastic packaging (which often outweighs the items we purchase by a huge amount) into a green garbage bin and think it's going to turn into tomorrow's packaging.
It doesn't, people. It goes into a landfill and stays there.
I know this seems like a topic swerve, but bear with me.
We have been fooled into thinking that individuals not asking for straws and individuals tossing plastic bakery containers into a green garbage can will save the planet or some shit.
We have a SYSTEMIC plastic problem and we're trying to solve it with INDIVIDUAL blame-and-shame instead of handling it at the multi-billion dollar level, where we can make an actual difference No wonder the power structures like this -- it means they don't need to change.
Similarly, this anti-racist crap we're being force-fed also keeps systemic racism (redlining, shit education funding, voter reg, etc.) off the radar while blaming the whole thing on relatively powerless individuals for minor reflexive acts.
Both are instances of trying to fix what is openly called a SYSTEMIC act with INDIVIDUAL blame-and-shame. Yes, people need to individually do better. But if we think that the starvation of schools in poor neighborhoods can be solved by having a bunch of individuals "own our guilt" in stupid seminars, we're kidding ourselves.
And just as conveniently for the White Guilt Manufacturing Industry, it means that the problem never actually gets solved. But a bunch of people with money get to evade scrutiny and feel good about themselves in the bargain AGAIN, while placing all the blame on the most powerless, so hey. There's that.
And you're missing one serious biggie here: "The forced political homogenization of schools and newsrooms isn’t the only story being overlooked, underplayed or disregarded by the legacy media."
There's also the way that women, who have been relegated to second-class humans behind the ones with penises since time began, are now being relegated to second-class WOMEN behind the ones with penises. Incels in dresses have managed to short-circuit feminism in a "woke" way thanks to "gender identity" now being some sort of privileged thing. Feminism now has to put men first just because some dude says he's a woman. Thanks to that and intersectionality, actual violence against women and misogyny is now woke. We're in the back of a bus that WE BUILT AND DRIVE, yet again.
CRT activists eviscerate their powerless "allies" while spineless overlords shut their eyes and cover their A's. And Caitlyn Jenner hid a Trojan horse inside her box of Wheaties. Social justice warriors are sadistic, vindictive and dangerous.
I am troubled by the concept of "systemic" racism which according to Merriam-Webster includes "a political or social system founded on racism". Since it is apparently a given in the current colloquy that we have "systemic" racism that must mean that our political or social system is racist i.e. the Constitution of the United States. I don't accept that. I accept we have problems, but I do not believe we are playing in a zero sum game or that Black people have no agency. "Systemic" racism is defeatism.
Bari - thank you for providing the space to voice concerns that often can't be brought up anywhere else. My 2 daughters attend a prestigious (southern) private school, and we have always felt that we were in a safe bubble immune to the madness and woke garbage described in these two brave letters.
Recently we were sent an email from the Head of School about a new hire for the position of "Director of Cultural Competency and Inclusion," a recently developed position, the former occupant of which had organized maybe a few events here and there but it was basically a position in name only.
The new hire appears to have a history of CRT advocacy and was responsible for overhauling much of the traditional curricula at other similar private prep schools in favor of much of the same nonsense seen at Grace Church and Brearley.
My sense is that the administration does not know or realize what is likely coming down the pipeline (or maybe I'm giving them too much credit and they are fully aware). Nonetheless my family says stay out of it until something happens and then when/if necessary, rally the parents/take action of some sort.
I'm curious whether proactive action of some sort should be taken or do we hope for the best and stay silent until the damage has already begun? Any thoughts are welcome. Thank you!
see what had happened in Dalton school in New York. Actions by parents forced principal to resign and 12 (!) new diversity officers hopefully will not be hired.
I am afraid the FP is becoming too one sided covering the fuck ups of the Dems and left while ignoring Trump and the republican party.....This is no longer true "As an aside, this is in part why The Free Press is necessary. If there’s a conspiracy of silence around a topic, that’s what we want to puncture. We’re not driven by which side gains or loses from our publishing the truth. We side with the truth, convenient or inconvenient, popular or unpopular. And we’re grateful to you for supporting that mission. —NB ?
Bari; you are kicking ass with your ‘front page’ format! Free Press has become more visible as a result. Keep up the good work!
Of all people, Johnny Rotten:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9515545/Sex-Pistols-John-Lydon-hits-snowflakes-contributing-cancel-culture.html
A "bull%#&t" theme seems to be emerging.
I subscribe to Bari Weiss because I believe we have to support her message which is honest and real. I may not always agree with her (although, so far, hard to argue with her logic) her authenticity and honesty must be supported. I will do my best to encourage support for this newsletter.
I just subscribed. Your work is incredibly important at this time when our country seems to be coming apart at the seams.
This will be the pettiest comment you receive on this installment--or any other, I hope. I was disappointed to see you identify the time for your Tuesday chat as EST. We are in EDT (or CDT, etc.). In fact, we are in DST for the majority of the year, so the logical time zone mistake should be EDT. I have a simple solution: just use ET, it will never be wrong!
BTW, I'm loving your newsletter. I think you are achieving your goal of honest coverage, independent thought, admitted partiality topic by topic. I want to say, "You go, girl!" but I'm afraid that might a forbidden phrase in Wokespeak.
😄 Bari is not alone! I only recently started needing to pay attention to scheduled times (via email) across the US to keep up with upcoming Workshops (Braver Angels) etc.. I'm afraid to ask how long the designation for 'Daylight Savings Time' has been in place! 😅
I don't remember, but I might have even had to look it up.🙄 But I've "got it" now!
Hi Bari... Hey, I admit it, I'm kinda ignorant. I didn't even know who you were until I heard about you bailing out of the Times on principle. So, I didn't have a clue where to set the bar of expectations in joining your newsletter. I tossed in my fifty bucks purely on solidarity. And so far, so good! You are indeed well on your way to publishing the best opinion page in the country. And, to your promise of writing meaty intros to other peoples work, I say this: I had lunch today in a pretty swanky joint, and the ribeye I had was on the menu at 57 bucks. Yeah, it was pretty good. But it's gone now, and you are still here. The value proposition is obvious. Keep the meatiness coming!
All admirable goals that I am happy to contribute and help you accomplish in any way.
To a certain extent, Trumpism and wokeism are two sides of the same coin. It's time for the adults in the room to take back the wheel from extremists on both sides. People who insist on drilling through misinformation and wokeism to make rational decisions based on logic, truth and facts / data. People who strictly adhere to a set of principles and values, refusing to buckle under the weight of exaggerated criticism.
I love this country and I believe most of the people in it are genuinely good and honest. Thank you for reminding me of that.
"Systems" are designed by people. People are imperfect. Therefore, any system designed by people will be imperfect. It then follows that something that is inherently imperfect, while useful, should never be imbued with unlimited power.
That is, IMO, the genius of the founding documents of the US. They realized government is essential, but the government will devolve to naked imposition of power if not constrained.
People on the right know that mankind will not/cannot be perfect, and prefer "systems" that have built in limits. People on the left believe that while mankind cannot be perfect, behavior can be made to be "perfect" with sufficient assertion of power.
Of course, the position of those on the left is really "we are perfect and so have a divine right to unlimited power so that we can make your behavior perfect."
Neil,
I appreciate, very much, your contribution to this discussion with one small, but important, statement.
I have never been a big fan of "labels", they are far too inadequate to describe or capture the complexity of any human being. I was taught to get to know, really KNOW (which takes an extended period of time), someone before deciding the depth of their character and "who" they are. That is a lesson I have carried with me throughout my 63 years of life and it has proven to be true and serve me very well.
As someone who voted for Donald Trump (after MUCH prayer and inner conflict) I was very saddened by people who wanted to tell me "who I am", based solely on my choice for President. They had no idea the painful process I went through to "do what I considered the 'right' thing". Our life experiences have very much to do with the molding of our perspectives. And that is not a stagnate process! I was incredulous that people could even admit that they were so shallow as to place ALL Conservatives into one camp. Not only was it frustrating, but very disappointing.
When we make definitive statements putting all people into one category, that is a grave injustice to the beauty and complexity of each of us as individuals. I truly believe that most people do the best that they know how at a given point in time. I continue to "become" with each new day of life. If I'm not learning then I must be dead!
Don't get me wrong. The convenience of labels is a big reason that we use them, but the convenience is not worth mischaracterizing those who don't fit neatly into the label used.
While I do believe that you might have accurately pegged some on the left, I respect my fellow human beings enough to not "assume" what I have no possible way of knowing. My Daddy wisely advised me not to make assumptions, so as not to make an "ass out of u and me". 😊 Thankfully, that lesson proved to be true only a couple of times before I fully understood what he was telling me. I try to do onto others as I would want them to do onto me.
I agree Rita, or at least I did 15 years ago. I am saddened by what I have seen over the last 15 years from "the left". I've read 6 books in the last few months from left, right, and center authors. They have all validated my conclusion that those driving the left don't want co-existence, don't want compromise, and don't want debate. They want "the right" gone (forced underground) - literally. I know this group probably comprises only 20% of the left, but the remaining 80% remains quiet. If the right is to survive, and I believe the country is more "right" than "left" (but not by all that much - maybe 7-10%), it must recognize the war that has been thrust upon it and act accordingly. This dynamic has played out over and over again in the political arena. I've watched "leaders" like John Boehner, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and others continually give ground in hopes of a reciprocity that never happens. It reminds me of the "grand bargain" Reagan made with Tip O'Neill and the Dems never held up their end of the bargain. In fact, what ends up happening is the left takes every "give" from the right and only demands more. Chauvin was just found guilty and already the voices are loud: "it's not enough". I know we have more work to do on race relations (I've been the subject of black racism towards whites, by the way, so I know it goes all ways because everyone, and I mean everyone, has their own biases) but at least they could have said something like "it's a good step and let's see what happens from here". Cancel culture runs rampant and "the left" sees nothing wrong with it. If it goes much further, I will get REALLY ugly. It also is maddening to me to see that those driving the left seem to give no credit to the incredible good that the US, including its white citizens", have done for the world. No country in the history of the world has done more good for more people around the world for a longer period of time than has the US. And if you are looking for a model of "social progress", you can't do any better than the US. I was just talking to a friend of mine who spent 3 years in refugee camps for Vietnamese people who expressed the same sentiment. I have had many talks with a friend of mine who grew up hiding in the basement to sleep at night in Beirut due to the civil war who says the same thing. I grew up across the street from someone who was able to escape the Soviet Union and he was always astonished at how much credit the US was not given.
I am starting to see glimmers of the 80% of the left starting to speak up, with Bari, who I think is terrific, being a leading voice.
My own motto is "keep on hand open and extended, and the other back and clenched in a fist".
Neil, Thank you so much for your thoughtful and very enlightening response. Really! If there is one thing that I have learned in becoming more active in these dialogs, it is how very little I know about the depths and history of the politics of our country. I readily admit to my ignorance because I don't have to remain so.
You have given me more "food-for-thought", and I hear the conviction and frustration you are experiencing. I also agree that we all have biases; the blatant ones are easier to recognize and work against, but there are still those, unknown even to ourselves, that we must stand guard against.
I have often thought how much easier it would be if I could just pour my personal knowledge (experience) into the hearts and minds of others to help them see me as an individual trying just as hard as everyone else to find the right path.
Thank you for sharing about the personal relationships that have helped to inform your understanding of how others view the United States. I think those are such important and essential voices to add to the discussion. Only those who have lived through more politically difficult environments can speak to the experience of countries outside of our own.
My Mama is native Italian and came to the United States with my Dad (an American Soldier) and me after their marriage and my birth. She was a very young 19 years old and spoke no English at all.
Having Italian relatives was a wonderful cultural experience and really helped me to appreciate cultural differences while also understanding that, as human beings, we have many of the same challenges regardless of all else.
I also would not have been exposed to the hope that so many have for coming to America. My Zio (Uncle) always spoke dreamily of one day traveling to America. He passed before accomplishing that, but America is a destination so many talk about wanting to experience.
No, America is far from perfection (but I'm a believer that perfection only happens in heaven) but, like you, I feel disappointment in what seems to be a denial of the progress in race relations that we have made. That does not mean that we don't still have work to do, just as you said. But the ANGRY VOICES override and seem to ignore the progress that has been made. They seem more bent on revenge than true change. We should never stop trying to do better, because with human beings that is a never ending and needful goal.
There is an old saying, "If you give an inch they'll take a mile." And a similar one concerns "the slippery slope". I think both sides feel insecurity about how far the other will go given any amount of compromise. And it is a difficult issue due to the way we have seen some things go . For me, personally, the issue of Abortion which started out allowable only in the first trimester but has now come to an unthinkable progression, is a case in point.
But I don't want that to taint my belief that not all things would go that far. We are a diverse people who occupy the same homeland and who need to work for the good of all, striking a difficult balance.
I do agree that change, most commonly, comes from loud voices calling for needed changes. I have learned so much about how removed I am from certain societal issues that are unlikely to affect me. But, the beat-down and seeming lack of mercy toward those who don't fully agree, sometimes due to honest ignorance of the fullness of the issue, seems destructive and evil in it's intent. It's difficult to believe their methods will produce anything other than oppression and resentment. If the heart isn't changed it's unlikely to be a lasting change, and coercion is NOT the way.
But another thing that I have seen by becoming involved with BRAVER ANGELS, which led me to Bari and others, is that there ARE many people who voted differently from one another but are realizing how divisive the media was in encouraging our divide. They are now understanding how the chosen narrative, even within the media, had a hand in bringing us to this unbelievable and regretful place.
Those of us who truly love our country, imperfect as it is, and want to work for it's survival, must stand together against the extremes that will destroy the civility we have enjoyed in times past and can once again enjoy in even more enlightened ways.
Let us be cautious to recognize the true enemies of America's survival and march with those of sincere good will for the good of ALL Americans, different though we might be.
Nicely done. Thanks.
Thank you, Neil.
That’s a bit oversimplified. The left and I’d say a good part of the total population believes in progressivism. We are imperfect, the system is imperfect, but we are always, ideally, advancing in the direction of perfection. That’s why America was labeled exceptional. The constitution, freedom, abundance and intellectual vigor of our youthful nation made us, seemingly, different than any other nation that arose before us. This period, now, where a vocal group of regressives have captured the megaphone is an anomaly. Maybe it signals that we are doomed to fail, or maybe it’s a blip in our history and will soon be shown to have been one of those inevitable pauses progress takes to catch its breath.
"This period, now, where a vocal group of regressives have captured the megaphone is an anomaly."
Is it? I would argue the reason we have the system of government we do, and the bill of rights is because the founders understood that man's natural inclination is to reduce the freedom of others.
See for example the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. With many many examples in the years since, from the unconstitutional war on drugs (where is the amendment authorizing the federal government to do this), to unconstitutional attempts to muzzle speech, to all the anti gun laws that seem to struggle with "shall not be infringed". Oh and let's not forget all the government spying on people without warrants.
Every year, every day, people must stand up for freedom, not just for themselves, but for those they disagree with.
Well stated. That is why Reagan said "freedom is never more than one generation away from being extinguished".
I don't think it's oversimplified: except, possibly, for the use of "divine". When compared to history, the parallels are stunning. I sure hope the current insanity is an anomaly. But I know enough history to know a small, loud group can seize power and quickly change history for the worse. Over time, perhaps 300-500 years recovery will occur and in 1,000 years I have confidence in what will be the dominant political/economic structure in the world. Getting there could be difficult and bloody.
What parallels? Communism? How long did that last in Russia? Hitler? How long did that last?
Russia in the early 20th century, China in the cultural revolution, Iraq when Saddam took over, Venezuela and Hugo Chavez, Cambodia and Pol Pot, Iran, Chile, France during the Reign of Terror...the list is long. It doesn't matter how long it lasts, the damage that is done is massive. What may be an anomaly in historic terms is still a major, brutal, shock to those who live through it.
First. Yes. It would be horrible to live through something like the cultural revolution or be starved to death because a national leader was unwise. But then again, it’s brutal to die from cancer or to be homeless and drug addicted. Depends on the frame. Personal, local, national, world. Notice that the examples you gave are all national. They didn’t bleed over to other nations. Their ideology didn’t sell and was soon discarded. In history, over the ages, that’s all you can ask for. Always bending towards freedom, justice and equality.
Now a personal question. Your emails are listed as section230stan. Did you change your name or is there a glitch in the system?
glitch
"Notice that the examples you gave are all national. They didn’t bleed over to other nations."
I would argue communism certainly bled over to other nations. Fascism as well.
I don't know anyone who thinks mankind can be perfect. I've never heard anyone say that. Who do you have in mind. Can you point out these people who think mankind can be made perfect?
Lots of ideologies have proposed a blissful utopia. You can start with monotheism and go to Marx (the communist new man) and end with the intellectually challenged wokes who are advocating cyrpto-fascism and racial socialism.
Please re-read my comment and reevaluate your need to ask that question. If you can, please think with a bit of subtlety.
I read this: "People on the left believe that while mankind cannot be perfect, behavior can be made to be "perfect" with sufficient assertion of power."
I don't know anyone who thinks that way. I'm on the left. I certainly don't think that way. I know plenty of people who would like to change other people's minds through persuasion. Of course, that's what Evangelicals are all about, right? Changing people's hearts and minds? I think what you mean is that we on the left would like to convince people on the right that white privilege is a real phenomenon, and that you don't have to have individual racists to have institutional racism in a society. But we're not using force to do it. Unless you're referring to social pressure. as "force". Is that what you meant to say?
Matt -- How is it that you avoid telling us what is so positive about CRT, and the reasoning behind it?
It would take me an hour to explain. I started by reading the major themes of CRT at wikipedia. But one example: They question the value of basing everything in life on reason alone. They see this as a sort of White way of seeing the world. This might sound odd, but Buddhists (and other religious traditions) question the value of reason, artists question the value of reason, athletes and musicians go by intuition more than reason. They have a point.
I should add that I asked for the "reason" why CRT is positive. Since you can't think of any (if you can't describe any social idea succinctly and clearly, rest assured that it is generally BS), you embarked on attacking 'reason' itself. Nice segway, Matt!
I can understand that artists and religionists would have an issue with reason as the foundation of their ideas are subjective, psychological, and emotion-based. Theology ultimately rejects reason or it would not survive.
To call reason 'whiteness' is extremely condescending and quite reactionary. I come from the Middle East where Islam and 'spiritualism' rules. The result has been poverty, hunger, backwardness, and illiteracy. So much for non-reason. Despite this, 'reason' is held at the highest level by the masses, and is taken for granted and a necessity as a matter of discourse. What is 'whiteness' about that? Are you saying that reasoning is dismissed in non-white societies? Tell that to any person in the 3rd world and they will call you a racist and a colonialist.
You have to understand that non-reason may be acceptable at the individual level (artists, spiritualists, athletes, etc.). But at the socio-political level, non-reason leads to injustice and totalitarianism. At the economic level, non-reason leads to poverty. Surely you rather be treated by a surgeon than a witch doctor. Even in sports, physics (reason) is 99% of the works. Music is based on mathematical structures. So don't let anyone sell you this snake oil and call reason whiteness. As an individual, you are protected to act as irrationally as you wish (as long as you don't harm the rights of others). Liberal democracy guarantees that, because it is based upon an enlightened reasonable moral code. The minute society does away with reason, you will be thrown into the depths of barbarianism, fascism, communism, abject poverty, insecurity, and naturally totalitarianism.
The questioning of reason is not a new phenomena and pops its head in every age. Earliest mention of that goes back to the Sophists of Greece at the time of Socrates. As you can imagine, it is a favorite tool of sophistry.
Questioning of reason has a new philosophic name: post-modernism. It was developed in literary and artistic circles of post-WWII France, and its luminaries were Derrida and Foucault. CRT has actually borrowed this tenet from the post-modernists, and it is not an invention of CRT per se. But is used by CRT to deflect criticism that address its inconsistency and its dependence on subjective phenomena. I think it suffices to say that honest Marxists such as Habermas, Chomsky, and Zizek are the strongest critics of post-modernism, as being "reactionary". The central reason that humanity has progressed to achieve enlightenment, liberalism, and civil society is because discourse has been based on reason. Imagine if in a court of law, the judge ruled based on his/her whims and what was had for breakfast.
You have it mostly correct. But, in fact, the left believes you can force people to perfect their behavior (your twisted obsession with "white privilege" is just one example), with perfect defined solely by the left and subject to change at a moments notice. Tyranny always begins with "social pressure". When people lose their job for asking a question, or disagreeing: when mobs use the threat of violence (urged on by leaders of the Democrat party) to achieve their ends: when people get harassed for simply not taking a stand that leftists want them to take: that is "force". The left is clearly, quickly, and undebate-ably taking the US down the road to tyranny. In short, the guiding philosophy of the left is now "might makes right". Keep this in mind - moral superiority is fleeting; they will eventually come for you, too.
I, too, Neil have felt a sense of demand for "instantaneous" conformity. It is truly baffling to me that any critically thinking person can believe that this would bring about LASTING change.
All living things, that I'm aware of, need a period of growth before coming to full fruition.
My opinion here: the left doesn't want to change "hearts and minds"; they want control. They can make their desired change in behavior last as long as they have power. They truly do not care about individuals (look at the history of governance and policy in democrat led cities - leadership that has been for decades: abysmal on every front) and their route to power is to turn groups against each other. But for that to be stopped, nearly all groups have to recognize that; groups on the left do not, from what I see.
Again, we are starting to see glimmers of change and I hope this grows to be a force that outweighs that of the dividers. But I will not unilaterally "disarm" in hopes the the other side will reciprocate. It's going to be small steps.
That is why the Left is said to be elitist. Because they have a very high opinion of themselves (the Kruger Dennings (sp?) syndrome) and a low opinion of the masses, and believe they can install a utopia for the benefit of the masses, as long as they are in charge and have power. They believe it is rather simple to organize society once racism, misogyny, etc. are removed. So much naivete never amassed within one group of people, except for maybe among religious fundamentalists.
and in the US, religious fundamentalists never gained any real power...
This was really nicely put, and I’m going to appropriate it to use in my own arguments, hope you don’t mind. I’m on the left, and I’m definitely not alone in agreeing with this sentiment - wish you wouldn’t paint us all with the same broad brush. There are many of us who do not align with the illiberalism of the activist far left. (If that’s the right term - I’m not sure how to label anything anymore, including myself!)
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"Systems" are designed by people. People are imperfect. Therefore, any system designed by people will be imperfect. It then follows that something that is inherently imperfect, while useful, should never be imbued with unlimited power.
I am what would be described as an almost classic liberal; I call myself a JFK Democrat. I differentiate between liberals, which you seem to be, and leftists that seem to dominate the Democrat party these days. "The left" in the US these days is decidedly illiberal, and probably fascist, IMO.
You think the typical Democrat is a fascist? Nancy Pelosi? Joe Biden? Barack Obama? What on Earth is your definition of a fascist?
Over the last five years, the definition of "fascist" has become quite broad and was applied to pretty much anything with which the left disagreed - even asking uncomfortable questions is now considered fascist by the left. Disagreeing with the left is now considered fascist by the left. So I'm just running with that.
How absurd. You are speaking nonsense. I gather you're a fan of Dennis Prager, who also speaks a lot of nonsense.
What I have stated is proven fact. Call it absurd if you wish, as that is the avenue leftists use to impose their form of intolerance and tyranny.
I just checked my email inbox and found Bari's link to tonight's zoom event. I can't wait.
"So what exactly do we mean when we say “systemic racism”? Does what I’ve described above meet critics’ definition? If not, why? It’s a rich question worthy of further discussion in these digital pages."
I tend to think in analogies and metaphors, so here we go.
This reminds me of the way that "there's too much plastic in the world" has turned into "individuals bear the individual responsibility to not use plastic straws" instead of "multi-billion dollar corporations must be held to strict standards for plastic manufacture and use."
Not only does this focus put the onus on the least powerful people in the world -- individuals -- to solve a trillion-dollar problem, but it almost guarantees that the least amount of progress will be made because let's face it, one plastic straw means nothing when the actual problem is the zillions of pounds of plastic being created by corporations that managed to greenwash us into all thinking that we can toss our plastic packaging (which often outweighs the items we purchase by a huge amount) into a green garbage bin and think it's going to turn into tomorrow's packaging.
It doesn't, people. It goes into a landfill and stays there.
I know this seems like a topic swerve, but bear with me.
We have been fooled into thinking that individuals not asking for straws and individuals tossing plastic bakery containers into a green garbage can will save the planet or some shit.
We have a SYSTEMIC plastic problem and we're trying to solve it with INDIVIDUAL blame-and-shame instead of handling it at the multi-billion dollar level, where we can make an actual difference No wonder the power structures like this -- it means they don't need to change.
Similarly, this anti-racist crap we're being force-fed also keeps systemic racism (redlining, shit education funding, voter reg, etc.) off the radar while blaming the whole thing on relatively powerless individuals for minor reflexive acts.
Both are instances of trying to fix what is openly called a SYSTEMIC act with INDIVIDUAL blame-and-shame. Yes, people need to individually do better. But if we think that the starvation of schools in poor neighborhoods can be solved by having a bunch of individuals "own our guilt" in stupid seminars, we're kidding ourselves.
And just as conveniently for the White Guilt Manufacturing Industry, it means that the problem never actually gets solved. But a bunch of people with money get to evade scrutiny and feel good about themselves in the bargain AGAIN, while placing all the blame on the most powerless, so hey. There's that.
And you're missing one serious biggie here: "The forced political homogenization of schools and newsrooms isn’t the only story being overlooked, underplayed or disregarded by the legacy media."
There's also the way that women, who have been relegated to second-class humans behind the ones with penises since time began, are now being relegated to second-class WOMEN behind the ones with penises. Incels in dresses have managed to short-circuit feminism in a "woke" way thanks to "gender identity" now being some sort of privileged thing. Feminism now has to put men first just because some dude says he's a woman. Thanks to that and intersectionality, actual violence against women and misogyny is now woke. We're in the back of a bus that WE BUILT AND DRIVE, yet again.
The plastic analogy is brilliant. I'm gonna borrow it. A lot.
CRT activists eviscerate their powerless "allies" while spineless overlords shut their eyes and cover their A's. And Caitlyn Jenner hid a Trojan horse inside her box of Wheaties. Social justice warriors are sadistic, vindictive and dangerous.
please clarify when you are going to say an invitation to your today's Zoom event
I just received the invitation in my inbox.
When will a zoom link go out to subscribers? I recently joined and can’t wIt to watch it!
I am troubled by the concept of "systemic" racism which according to Merriam-Webster includes "a political or social system founded on racism". Since it is apparently a given in the current colloquy that we have "systemic" racism that must mean that our political or social system is racist i.e. the Constitution of the United States. I don't accept that. I accept we have problems, but I do not believe we are playing in a zero sum game or that Black people have no agency. "Systemic" racism is defeatism.
Bari - thank you for providing the space to voice concerns that often can't be brought up anywhere else. My 2 daughters attend a prestigious (southern) private school, and we have always felt that we were in a safe bubble immune to the madness and woke garbage described in these two brave letters.
Recently we were sent an email from the Head of School about a new hire for the position of "Director of Cultural Competency and Inclusion," a recently developed position, the former occupant of which had organized maybe a few events here and there but it was basically a position in name only.
The new hire appears to have a history of CRT advocacy and was responsible for overhauling much of the traditional curricula at other similar private prep schools in favor of much of the same nonsense seen at Grace Church and Brearley.
My sense is that the administration does not know or realize what is likely coming down the pipeline (or maybe I'm giving them too much credit and they are fully aware). Nonetheless my family says stay out of it until something happens and then when/if necessary, rally the parents/take action of some sort.
I'm curious whether proactive action of some sort should be taken or do we hope for the best and stay silent until the damage has already begun? Any thoughts are welcome. Thank you!
https://www.foxnews.com/search-results/search?q=critical%20race%20theory the idea that people aren't talking about critical race theory seems kind of weird, when states are passing legislation and the media is covering it.
see what had happened in Dalton school in New York. Actions by parents forced principal to resign and 12 (!) new diversity officers hopefully will not be hired.
Yes...I'd prefer it not get to that point, but that was great to hear about!
I just subscribed. Please send the link for the Zoom call tonight with A. Guttman and P. Rossi. TY!