Glenn Loury $7 / month

Glenn Loury's Substack explores themes around race, inequality, freedom of expression, and the complexities of identity politics in the United States and globally. Loury, an economist, engages with controversial topics while challenging prevailing narratives on systemic racism, affirmative action, censorship, and the role of traditional values in addressing social issues.

Race and Inequality Freedom of Expression Identity Politics Systemic Racism Affirmative Action Censorship and Media Education and Academic Freedom Political Narratives Social Justice and Activism Family and Community Dynamics

The hottest Substack posts of Glenn Loury

And their main takeaways

The Hard Road to Responsibility

317 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Society Responsibility Comedy Podcasting
  1. It’s tough to ask people from struggling communities to take responsibility when they face so many challenges. We need to find a way for them to improve their situations without excusing harmful behavior.
  2. Having discussions about individual responsibility can be complicated, especially when many feel stuck in difficult circumstances. We should aim for a society that encourages better choices.
  3. While there are jokes about selling out for money, staying true to one's beliefs and values is important. It's better to hold onto integrity than to compromise for financial gain.

The Oversimplification of Ta-Nehisi Coates

1329 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Debate Humanities Writing Identity
  1. Ta-Nehisi Coates' writing explores deep human experiences and how our backgrounds shape us. This shows that our nurturing environments impact our moral choices and understanding of suffering.
  2. There's a need to examine different perspectives on sensitive topics like the Israel-Palestine conflict. Understanding these viewpoints helps us grasp the complexity of people's actions and beliefs.
  3. Coates emphasizes the importance of recognizing human connections and the struggle against dehumanization, yet some critics feel he oversimplifies complex issues, making it harder to have deeper discussions.

Kamala Harris and Me

1487 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Racial Issues Podcasting Public Discourse Debate
  1. The podcast features a discussion between liberal hosts and conservative guests to promote open dialogue. It's a space where different viewpoints can share their ideas and challenge each other.
  2. The conversation dives into how personal experiences, especially related to race, can influence views on political figures like Kamala Harris. This highlights the importance of understanding different backgrounds.
  3. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe for more exclusive content, which emphasizes the value of in-depth discussions and varied opinions in politics.

Seven Years of Lovely LaJuan

2579 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Marriage Personal Growth Emotional Expression Life reflections
  1. Marriage can grow and deepen over time, just like how the love shared between partners can become stronger with each passing year.
  2. It's important to cherish and appreciate your partner, recognizing the unique qualities that make them special.
  3. Commitment in a relationship means treating each other as equals and always showing love and respect.

My "Perplexing" Response to Ta-Nehisi Coates's New Book

2023 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Media Race Politics Identity
  1. It's okay to criticize someone's past views while still recognizing their current work as valuable. You can appreciate a good piece of writing even if you don't always agree with the author.
  2. Ta-Nehisi Coates expresses deep feelings about injustices he sees, which can be important in understanding his perspective. Understanding emotions in discussions about complex issues can lead to more meaningful conversations.
  3. Writing can be powerful, and even if you disagree with the message, you might admire the craft and skill of the writer. It's worth giving credit where it's due, regardless of personal beliefs.
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Black Intellectuals in the Twenty-First Century

337 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Social Issues History Politics Identity
  1. In the 1980s, many African Americans strongly opposed apartheid in South Africa. This shows a sense of unity against oppression, even if the situations were different.
  2. The conversation highlights how some issues today, like the treatment of Palestinians, can be more complicated than past issues like apartheid.
  3. Understanding historical context helps us see why certain causes gain widespread support while others struggle for the same level of recognition.

Does America Require an "Anglo-Protestant" Majority?

515 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Demographics Cultural Identity Political Philosophy Nationalism
  1. Some believe that America needs an 'Anglo-Protestant' majority to maintain its success and values, arguing that this group historically shaped the nation.
  2. Immigrants often come to America for its opportunities and quality of life, and there's skepticism about the idea that they would change the culture negatively once they arrive.
  3. There is a debate about how important a dominant culture is for national stability, with some suggesting that laws and institutions play a larger role than the ethnic or cultural origins of the people.

Eric Adams Is in Deep Sh*t

535 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Governance Public Policy Political Analysis Race relations
  1. Eric Adams is facing serious legal trouble, being the first sitting New York City mayor to be charged with a federal crime. This makes his situation quite unprecedented.
  2. He's attempting to use race as a defense strategy, but many are skeptical that will be effective. There seems to be a general belief that this approach won't help his case.
  3. Adams's time in office is viewed as lacking by many New Yorkers. There's a feeling that he might only serve one term due to his performance.

October 2024 Q&A

238 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Public Policy Elections Social Issues Cultural Commentary
  1. There is a Q&A session where people can ask questions and get answers from experts. It's a good chance to learn more about specific topics.
  2. Viewers are encouraged to leave their queries in the comments so they can be discussed later. This makes it interactive and engaging.
  3. Subscription options are available for more content, including a free trial for new users. This allows people to explore more without immediate commitment.

Derek Chauvin Did Not Murder George Floyd

5694 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Justice Policing Race relations
  1. The concept of "poetic truth" is discussed, referring to the creation of a partisan version of reality for power and leverage.
  2. The narrative around George Floyd's death is challenged, highlighting potential inaccuracies and the danger of perpetuating false truths.
  3. The importance of seeking and acknowledging the truth in controversial and emotionally charged situations is emphasized, even when it challenges established beliefs.

The Exquisite Irony of Claudine Gay's Downfall

3630 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Identity Affirmative Action Race relations Higher education Leadership
  1. Defenders claim that ousting Claudine Gay was more about race and ideology than academic integrity, but it still doesn't excuse plagiarism.
  2. Being a university president may require more than being a noteworthy scholar; skills like administration and fundraising could take precedence.
  3. The debate on affirmative action and academic standards for black students is complex, with implications for diversity, standards, and systemic corruption.

The Real Threat to Democracy

2241 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Democracy Legitimacy Trump
  1. The looming threat to democracy is the debate around disqualifying Trump from the 2024 election.
  2. There are concerns about fairness and legitimacy in the electoral process, especially post-2020 election.
  3. The importance of preserving the democratic foundation and having free and fair elections is emphasized.

Ibram Kendi's Crusade against the Enlightenment

3591 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideology Education Ethics Civil Rights Government
  1. The article discusses Ibram Kendi's rejection of the western intellectual tradition and his call for a new academic discipline.
  2. Kendi criticizes standardized tests in education as a racist policy that degrades black minds and bodies.
  3. Kendi proposes a radical solution to racism in the United States, advocating for a totalitarian government run by 'formally trained experts in racism.'

Claudine Gay's Dishonorable Discharge

1884 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Higher education DEI Plagiarism Race Leadership
  1. The charges of plagiarism against Claudine Gay were serious enough to merit her removal, despite other motivations behind the campaign against her.
  2. The appointment of high-ranking officials, especially in historical positions like Harvard President, should prioritize qualifications over symbolic representation.
  3. Habitual plagiarism can undermine a leader's credibility and position, regardless of race, and institutions should uphold standards of integrity and merit.

What Derek Chauvin's Trial Didn't Show Us

2083 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trial Narrative Testimony
  1. The Derek Chauvin trial had potentially exculpatory evidence excluded and facts misrepresented.
  2. There were concerns raised about the pathologist's autopsy report not aligning with the popular narrative surrounding George Floyd's death.
  3. Speculation was raised about the use of certain statements, like 'I can't breathe', becoming tropes in police encounters.

Q&A: What Would You Do with $43 Million to Fight Racism?

1845 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Film History Racism Entertainment Social Issues
  1. The Center for Antiracist Research raised $43 million with little to show for it in terms of research on racism.
  2. One approach suggested to fight racism with $43 million was to start a center for the rigorous study of race in America with elite scholars and promising grad students.
  3. Another proposed idea was to use the money to fund a movie dramatizing the shift in black political thought in 1966, which would showcase how certain ideas contributed to present-day racial divisions.

What Florida Is (and Isn't) Teaching Students about Slavery

3551 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Slavery Criticism History Racism
  1. The Florida Board of Education's guidelines for teaching African American history include lessons on the Underground Railroad, slave rebellions, and the harsh realities of chattel slavery.
  2. The controversy on the Florida curriculum involves a debate between emphasizing victimization or acknowledging the agency of enslaved individuals.
  3. Some researchers argue that recognizing the agency of enslaved blacks does not downplay the inhumane aspects of slavery and can provide a more nuanced understanding of their experiences.

Systemic Racism at Brown?

4106 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
🚌 Education Race Public Policy Inequality
  1. A controversy at Brown University surrounding systemic racism sparked a debate on freedom of expression.
  2. Glenn Loury, a black conservative economist, argues against claims of systemic racism at Brown and presents his scholarly contributions.
  3. Loury emphasizes the need to address racial inequality without undermining academic freedom.

Time to Get Rid of the N-Word Taboo

1269 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Language Race relations Identity
  1. John and Glenn discuss the use of racial slurs for illustration or analysis, rather than to demean.
  2. The taboo against racial slurs is expanding to even include terms that were once considered dignified, like "Negro."
  3. They talk about the power dynamics involved in the growing list of forbidden terms.

Why I Wrote LATE ADMISSIONS

1448 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
📚 Literature Memoir Author Book promotion
  1. The author wrote a memoir to understand and explain his unique life experiences.
  2. Writing the book helped the author reflect for readers' benefit as well as his own.
  3. By reading the memoir, readers can form their own judgment about the author's story.

What Happened to the Black-Jewish Alliance?

1666 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race relations Historical Analysis Foreign Policy Nationalism Political Ideologies
  1. Black-Jewish alliance started strong but faced challenges over time, especially with disagreements over issues like affirmative action and Israel-Palestine.
  2. Historical tensions between Blacks and Jews stemmed from economic factors and differences in experiences of discrimination.
  3. Racially preferential policies, like affirmative action, deepened enmity between Black and Jewish communities by bringing to light symbolic and ideological differences.

Racial Preferences May End, but the Fight Will Continue

3551 implied HN points • 18 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Affirmative Action Supreme Court Education Social justice
  1. The Supreme Court is expected to end racial preferences in college admissions, but the fight for racial equality will continue.
  2. Advocates suggest shifting preferences from race to socioeconomics to better address disparities in access to education.
  3. Maintaining racial preferences based on outdated assumptions about disadvantages faced by black students may actually hinder progress towards equality.

A Glenn Loury Rant™

3967 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues
  1. Glenn Loury discussed social dysfunction in black America and the importance of proper child-rearing.
  2. He emphasized the urgency to address the issues in black communities instead of making excuses.
  3. Loury highlighted the need to move forward from historical challenges to create a better future.

Livestream Event: Glenn Loury on Clarence Thomas

1249 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal system Social Issues Race relations Presidency
  1. Livestream event discussing the significance of Justice Clarence Thomas and his impact on American law and society.
  2. Justice Clarence Thomas is celebrated for his efforts to uphold individual liberties and limit federal government powers.
  3. Criticism against Justice Thomas often focuses on personal attacks rather than his judicial ideas, especially from black critics who question his loyalty to the African American community.