Any ‘discrimination’ these people face is not due to an unusual-sounding surname, but rather is based on employers’ previous experience with such groups, or is based on stereotypical behaviour of said group, which is often rooted in truth.
Furthermore, if an employer chooses not to hire someone markedly different from the current employees of the firm, is that not a good thing for both the prospective and current employees? Just imagine a predominantly Caucasian law firm hiring someone from Uganda - there may be cultural differences, concern over references/experience/authenticity of qualifications, language or accent barriers, issues regarding visas etc. It may even be altruistic on the part of the employer to turn the candidate down, as they may feel they are not a good ‘fit’ with the firm.
These minorities could always change their surname if they wished to avoid any perceived discrimination, or they could even simply go back to their country of origin where they wouldn’t be subject to alleged racism, but they know the reality of doing so will actually put them at a disadvantage, given how much special treatment is afforded to ‘minorities’ in western nations these days.
The truth is that cries of ‘racism’ have become a convenient scapegoat for ethnic minorities to absolve themselves of all blame and responsibility for their shortcomings, all whilst shutting down any critique by their opponents. ‘Critical race theory’ is just a smug attempt to intellectualise the whole thing and give it a clever sounding name, when the truth is that it itself is just another form of racism, albeit against the white majority (in their own homelands).
Often if policing and justice is left to these communities, as Simon says it just descends into the same tribal, savage and primitive forms that take place in their country of origin. ‘Defund the police’, much like ‘Critical race theory’, is just another attempt by minorities to skew society in their favour and to get special treatment.
A bigger question to ask is why do these people continue to live in this country? Particularly if we’re allegedly so racist and oppressive. Unlike in the U.S., they were never brought here against their will, they are free to leave whenever they like, and there is seldom anything stopping them from returning to their countries of origin. The truth is that they want all the benefits of living in western societies, but none of the responsibility or compromise required to do so.
A good summary, Simon. It seems to me that the West is being destroyed from within and without, thanks to the disease of CRT. Nationalist pride and even patriotism is viewed with the suspicion of "White supremacy". Our Nation’s founding principles are regarded as suspect due to "colonialism" and “racism”. Our greatest thinkers, philosophers and leaders are derided because some of their views at the time do not concur with the acceptable views of today. At the same time, an intolerant political ideology antithetical to the values of the West (Islam) is growing and is not to be criticised, due to being a “minority”. Woolly-headed liberals like Starmer intend to put a new definition of “islamophobia” into law, which will make it illegal to criticise the religion. Those with power in our great country (politicians and the civil service) do nothing about this or the growing numbers of immigrants importing their culture, with its prejudices and disputes. It does not augur well for the future.
White people in general, dare not say anything negative about CRT. It is the kind of thing which can cost a person their job and bring social ruin. This the reason why few people speak out about it. In private, many people concede that the whole thing is grotesque.
I ran across an unusual article, notable for it's a succinct summary of the woke perma-victim position. I love the part how now it's been driven into his genes.
"It’s difficult to properly appreciate how persistent and extensive systemic white supremacy is and the harm it brings to black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) unless you live in a melaninated body. The daily grind of race-based mistreatment sustained by stigmatized minority groups is a major stressor. Those with racial
privilege readily dismiss these microaggressions (i.e., slights, jeers, unwanted touching, victim-blaming, invalidating reactions, minimization) as trivial or innocuous. And yet, when social actors who have never encountered anti-black racism downplay the suffering produced by white supremacy, it contributes to the trauma exposure cycle that black people endure. Additional stress is compounded with each racialized aggression, and the more traumatic the event, the greater the insult to the brain, mind, and body. Black Americans experience both macro and microaggressions directly related
to their blackness that leaves deep psychological and physiological scars.
And these marks form race-based traumas that have generational effects, as they are passed down to future progeny by altering how our genes respond to our environment
through a process called epigenetics. If we have learned anything in America’s 400-
year history of brutalization and oppression of BIPOC it is that change is painfully slow
and people in positions of power and privilege are reluctant to give that up. Though we must continue to strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), BIPOC cannot rely on widespread societal change to heal centuries-old wounds. The desire to ease the burden of social injustice of black and brown folk has driven my professional work, which is built around interdisciplinary teaching and research on difficult topics of racial inequality that affect health—both mental and physical."
As odious as I've find much of the paper, I do support the MAPS organization, and again I'd be hard pressed to find a more succinct summary of the cult hive mind of the woke.
That's all for now. I'm behind in my quota of "unwanted touching" (what on earth is he on about?) and need to catch up on it now...
There is a lot of Literature regarding CRT and it all seems to have a positive nature about it. However ,try as I may, I cannot find any counter literature that will balance some of its' assumptions. Your writing here is the only time I've read anything like a more balanced critique of what i can only regard as a lot of old baloney! Thanks for your observations.
Obviously, I tried to avoid expressions like 'old baloney', but I think that those reading the basic tenets of the idea set out in this fashion, might be tempted to agree with you neat summing-up of the case!
Great piece Simon. I am perplexed now though. My name is pretty much always mispronounced by people not originally from UK. I usually just ignore it. Should I now be offended? Or does such offence only work one way..
We are all "victims of discrimination" and "perpetrators" too: discriminating with what one owns (one’s body, external property, or business) just is interpersonal liberty in practice. And to the extent that we cannot discriminate with what we own, that is because other people have taken control of what we own for their preferred but illiberal discriminations. https://jclester.substack.com/p/discrimination-a-libertarian-viewpoint
Any ‘discrimination’ these people face is not due to an unusual-sounding surname, but rather is based on employers’ previous experience with such groups, or is based on stereotypical behaviour of said group, which is often rooted in truth.
Furthermore, if an employer chooses not to hire someone markedly different from the current employees of the firm, is that not a good thing for both the prospective and current employees? Just imagine a predominantly Caucasian law firm hiring someone from Uganda - there may be cultural differences, concern over references/experience/authenticity of qualifications, language or accent barriers, issues regarding visas etc. It may even be altruistic on the part of the employer to turn the candidate down, as they may feel they are not a good ‘fit’ with the firm.
These minorities could always change their surname if they wished to avoid any perceived discrimination, or they could even simply go back to their country of origin where they wouldn’t be subject to alleged racism, but they know the reality of doing so will actually put them at a disadvantage, given how much special treatment is afforded to ‘minorities’ in western nations these days.
The truth is that cries of ‘racism’ have become a convenient scapegoat for ethnic minorities to absolve themselves of all blame and responsibility for their shortcomings, all whilst shutting down any critique by their opponents. ‘Critical race theory’ is just a smug attempt to intellectualise the whole thing and give it a clever sounding name, when the truth is that it itself is just another form of racism, albeit against the white majority (in their own homelands).
Often if policing and justice is left to these communities, as Simon says it just descends into the same tribal, savage and primitive forms that take place in their country of origin. ‘Defund the police’, much like ‘Critical race theory’, is just another attempt by minorities to skew society in their favour and to get special treatment.
A bigger question to ask is why do these people continue to live in this country? Particularly if we’re allegedly so racist and oppressive. Unlike in the U.S., they were never brought here against their will, they are free to leave whenever they like, and there is seldom anything stopping them from returning to their countries of origin. The truth is that they want all the benefits of living in western societies, but none of the responsibility or compromise required to do so.
Good piece of writing , again Simon.
Thank you!
The word I don't understand in this context is 'critical.' Normally it would imply careful thought based on facts and logic. How does it apply here?
A good summary, Simon. It seems to me that the West is being destroyed from within and without, thanks to the disease of CRT. Nationalist pride and even patriotism is viewed with the suspicion of "White supremacy". Our Nation’s founding principles are regarded as suspect due to "colonialism" and “racism”. Our greatest thinkers, philosophers and leaders are derided because some of their views at the time do not concur with the acceptable views of today. At the same time, an intolerant political ideology antithetical to the values of the West (Islam) is growing and is not to be criticised, due to being a “minority”. Woolly-headed liberals like Starmer intend to put a new definition of “islamophobia” into law, which will make it illegal to criticise the religion. Those with power in our great country (politicians and the civil service) do nothing about this or the growing numbers of immigrants importing their culture, with its prejudices and disputes. It does not augur well for the future.
White people in general, dare not say anything negative about CRT. It is the kind of thing which can cost a person their job and bring social ruin. This the reason why few people speak out about it. In private, many people concede that the whole thing is grotesque.
Here is a link to the article https://maps.org/news/bulletin/the-need-for-anti-racist-training-in-psychedelic-therapy/
I ran across an unusual article, notable for it's a succinct summary of the woke perma-victim position. I love the part how now it's been driven into his genes.
"It’s difficult to properly appreciate how persistent and extensive systemic white supremacy is and the harm it brings to black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) unless you live in a melaninated body. The daily grind of race-based mistreatment sustained by stigmatized minority groups is a major stressor. Those with racial
privilege readily dismiss these microaggressions (i.e., slights, jeers, unwanted touching, victim-blaming, invalidating reactions, minimization) as trivial or innocuous. And yet, when social actors who have never encountered anti-black racism downplay the suffering produced by white supremacy, it contributes to the trauma exposure cycle that black people endure. Additional stress is compounded with each racialized aggression, and the more traumatic the event, the greater the insult to the brain, mind, and body. Black Americans experience both macro and microaggressions directly related
to their blackness that leaves deep psychological and physiological scars.
And these marks form race-based traumas that have generational effects, as they are passed down to future progeny by altering how our genes respond to our environment
through a process called epigenetics. If we have learned anything in America’s 400-
year history of brutalization and oppression of BIPOC it is that change is painfully slow
and people in positions of power and privilege are reluctant to give that up. Though we must continue to strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), BIPOC cannot rely on widespread societal change to heal centuries-old wounds. The desire to ease the burden of social injustice of black and brown folk has driven my professional work, which is built around interdisciplinary teaching and research on difficult topics of racial inequality that affect health—both mental and physical."
As odious as I've find much of the paper, I do support the MAPS organization, and again I'd be hard pressed to find a more succinct summary of the cult hive mind of the woke.
That's all for now. I'm behind in my quota of "unwanted touching" (what on earth is he on about?) and need to catch up on it now...
There is a lot of Literature regarding CRT and it all seems to have a positive nature about it. However ,try as I may, I cannot find any counter literature that will balance some of its' assumptions. Your writing here is the only time I've read anything like a more balanced critique of what i can only regard as a lot of old baloney! Thanks for your observations.
Obviously, I tried to avoid expressions like 'old baloney', but I think that those reading the basic tenets of the idea set out in this fashion, might be tempted to agree with you neat summing-up of the case!
There are a number of books dismantling Critical Race Theory. Here's a few from my bookshelf:
Cynical Theories (Helen Pluckrose)
Race Marxism (James Lindsay)
Against decolonisation (Doug Stokes)
Colonialism (Nigel Biggar) - "flawed" the Guardian (ie. a recommendation!)
Karma is not a “Law” it is a religious theory
Race is merely one facet
=========================================
in a Global War on All People.
Here is how I deal with it.
/
I have been under attack for over 60 years
simply on account of my class and speech.
Many people still fight a war
that is one or two centuries old,
and cannot see
the multidimensionnal global war against ALL people.
/
I am from a landed \ business \ banking \ army & navy officer family,
and have received many instances of rudeness,
yet no-one ever writes books decrying this,
or makes speeches to Parliament,
because my class
are a target for all and sundry.
For centuries,
various parts of my family
created new industries and opportunities,
supported local poor in bad times,
provided leaders, MPs and Lord-Lieutenants, etc.
Recently a cousin was knighted,
having served the crown for 50 years,
including guarding the late Queen's coffin
as part of Her Majesty's Body Guard
of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms.
They are the most senior Royal Guards,
formed in 1509 by Henry VIII,
and it is considered a great honour
to be one of a corps numbering just 32,
and unpaid.
Our shared ancestors were tanners
at Wendron, Helston, Cornwall -
hardly upper-class -
but within a century,
they helped make Cornwall an industrial powerhouse,
helped bring the railway to Penzance,
and have been described as "merchant princes".
/
Am I going to scream and whine
because someone addicted to class warfare
sees anyone speaking in certain ways
as a target for abuse?
No.
I am strong enough
to rise above it.
/
I see a human being of limited understanding,
who sooner or later
will have an event provided in their life
that at least gives them opportunity
to think differently,
if capable of it.
Life can be brutal with our blind spots -
and we all have them,
do we not?
So when someone says something I dislike,
instead of knee-jerk response,
I try to ask myself in a pause
"Is there any truth in this statement?"
The reason is simple -
I see how the Law of Karma works -
how people who are nasty
get their own energy returned to source.
One man "burnt" me rather meanly,
and years later covered himself in petrol,
and struck a match -
due to a corrupt Cornish council coverup.
I lost a fortune -
he put an end to his life ( Judge Andrew Chubb QC ).
/
Life is many doors,
and these doors have locks,
the locks have keys.
Perhaps success in Life
is having the correct key
for the correct lock
in a door
that it is a good idea to open!
/
Great piece Simon. I am perplexed now though. My name is pretty much always mispronounced by people not originally from UK. I usually just ignore it. Should I now be offended? Or does such offence only work one way..
Get in there with those accusations of microaggression! There's money to be made and compensation just waiting to be collected.
"…might be victims of discrimination…"
We are all "victims of discrimination" and "perpetrators" too: discriminating with what one owns (one’s body, external property, or business) just is interpersonal liberty in practice. And to the extent that we cannot discriminate with what we own, that is because other people have taken control of what we own for their preferred but illiberal discriminations. https://jclester.substack.com/p/discrimination-a-libertarian-viewpoint