Racism is based on the belief that people can be divided into racial groups and, typically, that different racial groups possess inherently different characteristics or can be treated differently on that basis. However, there is broad scientific consensus that the traditional concept of distinct biological races does not accurately describe human genetic variation. Humans do have genetic differences, including variants associated with physical characteristics such as skin colour, and genetic ancestry can be statistically identified to some degree, but these variations do not divide humanity into rigid and clearly separated biological groups. Human genetic variation exists largely along continua, with extensive overlap and intermixing between populations, making it impossible to divide humanity consistently into distinct races based on a unique set of genetic differences.
So, I am baffled by how the left is re-appropriating racism to whitewash it into DEI systems that are ultimately discriminatory not just against the majoritarian race, but are even more discriminatory against the people they are meant to empower. A DEI appointee is potentially taking the place of someone of his own race and skin colour through favouritism or arbitrary selection rather than meritocracy.
Race is a social construct, and its application as a social construct is very real and tangible. Systematic racism has been in place in many institutions. We use terms such as Black and White as social constructs because describing people by their skin colour is weirdly difficult. We often use the term Black for most shades of people who look brownish and White for people of all lighter shades. We don’t use yellow, marigold or pumpkin orange, and so on and so forth.
So it is rather strange and even uncomfortable that we have to be subjected to these categories by institutions, even when the intent may be well-meaning.
If the left wants to battle racism, it should discard the idea altogether and refuse to apply it even in well-meaning schemes such as DEI. Diversity should be sought in thinking and ideas and not in skin colour. What’s the use if you have a diverse-colour troupe of intellectuals if they all think the same? I’m rather baffled by how many people fail to see this glaring inconsistency in the aims of DEI.
How long do we have to see the wrong people being empowered by DEI principles, ultimately doing more damage by fuelling racial convictions?
The application of racial constructs in public policy, even with well-meaning intent, is totally unnecessary. For example, addressing poverty universally and empowering people with jobs would ultimately empower any minority that would be materially disadvantaged compared to other groups. In addition, an excessive focus on racial distinctions may also overlook even more forceful determining factors of discrimination, such as class.
I think it should be logical that if we want to combat racism, we should not be using it at all as a distinguishing category.
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