Again... "In Front Of His Staff" - MLK, Bernie Sanders, And Democratic Socialism...

[Bread and Circus]

151. I guess we will have to agree to disagree because...

I do think there are forms of racism in all countries, in all quarters of the earth, at all points in time. It occurs in all cultures, groups, and comes from all colors.

No part of the world or human history is not poisoned by it.

To act like it's just something we can learn and then supposedly "unlearn" is to ignore biology and history. I think it makes mitigating racism harder.

You can't fix a problem you don't recognize.

My argument is not to excuse this bad part of human nature but to highlight the fact it exists in all of us and we can either embrace it or fight it.

Human beings are an awesome species in many ways but we have some really nefarious biological traits.

To act as if someone or some group is not racist is sort of racist in itself because that is basically saying that group is somehow better than the rest.

What could be fair to say is that African Americans have suffered the worst in this country as a result of racism, maybe Native Americans too (I am not sure you can really score such a thing). Does that give them some sort of special immunity? Maybe? I don't know. I think it should certainly garner particular empathy. But being empathetic toward disenfranchised groups, while noble, does not mean the biological factors that create racism aren't still buried within all of us.

I know what I espouse is not popular because it's an uncomfortable concept. Also racism, isn't just a person to person thing, as there is a lot to it (economic, system, social oppression, etc.) On that score, racism as a system of beliefs and practices are not necessary to the human experience and must be fought at all times steadfastly. But I think we would all get further along in this regard if we all admitted our bad side. I just don't think you can fix something unless everyone is approaching it honestly.