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Culture War Roundup for the week of March 16, 2026

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I will acknowledge that, due to the norms against racial discrimination established during and after the Civil Rights Movement, the danger is less now than it would have been in earlier decades; however, these norms are eroding at an alarming rate.

Explicit discrimination existed, and left Black people poorer than they otherwise would have been.

Jim Crow was far more harmful to Black people than any of the attempts to remedy it have been to others.

I can see the argument for a higher standard of evidence for blaming particular people or institutions for discrimination.

I have considered many potential explanations for the continuing poor outcomes among Black people, both orthodox and heretical; all of them seem to, ultimately, trace back to discrimination against them, although that discrimination is not always done by human beings.

however, these norms are eroding at an alarming rate.

I'm extremely skeptical of this claim. What's your evidence?

Jim Crow was far more harmful to Black people than any of the attempts to remedy it have been to others.

Acknowledging the truth about racial differences is unlikely to result in a return of Jim Crow laws. The only evidence you have offered (so far) is a claim that racial differences were used to justify Jim Crow laws.

Meanwhile, harm to non-blacks from affirmative action and such is real and unquestionably happening.

I have considered many potential explanations for the continuing poor outcomes among Black people, both orthodox and heretical; all of them seem to, ultimately, trace back to discrimination against them, although that discrimination is not always done by human beings.

I'm not sure what your point is here. Certainly if one were to apply your standard to the position that black underperformance is primarily the result of past discrimination by non-blacks, there's nowhere near sufficient proof.

In any event, I take it that in your view, it's reasonable for society to refuse to acknowledge truths solely because doing so might possibly result in harm. Is that correct? And this applies universally, not just in connection with policymaking. Correct?