Thomas Chatterton Williams on the importance of “unlearning” race and embracing humanism

Description:

The tragic death of George Floyd has sparked many important conversations about how Americans can pursue a future characterized by unity and equality around race. Yet, amid this national reckoning on race, a divisive and disempowering philosophy of “antiracism” has risen to the forefront of American culture. Is the solution to America’s racial disparities continuously reifying race in rhetoric and public policy? What are the potential consequences of training our children to see race as the most important part of a human’s identity? 

In this episode, Naomi and Ian are joined by Thomas Chatterton Williams — AEI visiting fellow, contributing writer for the New York Times, and prolific author and cultural critic. Thomas shares why he believes Americans must work toward unlearning race — restoring a person’s character, interests, and beliefs at the core of their identity rather than the color of their skin. Later, Thomas discusses why the core tenets of “antiracist” ideologies inadvertently reinforce ideas of white superiority and black inferiority.

Resources:

Beyond Black History Month| Thomas Chatterton Williams | The Wall Street Journal

Moving from persecution to prosperity: Demystifying Black excellence | Ian Rowe, Thomas Chatterton Williams, and Glenn Loury | HBS African-American Alumni Association

Show notes:

01:15 | Thomas Chatterton Williams’ philosophy of “unlearning” race

05:40 | Why critical race theory inadvertently reinforces ideas of white superiority and black inferiority

08:17 | The importance of desegregating American life, and why “safetyism” threatens progress on this front

14:50 | Controversy around the capitalization of color descriptors and the problem with “performative” justice

17:40 | How to channel the collective “moral panic” of this moment for good

24:35 | How the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR) is helping parents stand up to schools that are segregating students and violating their rights