The hottest Race Issues Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Why DNA Tests Can’t Decide Who’s “White”

Erik Examines • 179 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Issues Immigration Civil Rights Social justice
  1. DNA tests cannot precisely determine if someone is 'white' because they measure similarities to population clusters, not a specific racial identity. It's like finding groups that have common traits rather than strict categories.
  2. Human migration and mixing throughout history complicate the definition of race, as people often carry DNA from many different backgrounds. This blending means anyone's genetic makeup can reflect diverse ancestries.
  3. Using DNA tests to decide immigration or citizenship based on race creates problems, as different companies may interpret results differently. It's more about discovering ancestry than making clear boundaries between people.

Blood and Soil

Comment is Freed • 109 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Issues Immigration Policy Cultural Identity
  1. Racist language is becoming more common in British politics, especially among the right. This shift is concerning and highlights a troubling trend.
  2. Some politicians are making extreme comments about immigrants, suggesting that even long-time residents should be deported. This reflects a growing association between race and national identity.
  3. There seems to be a failure among moderate politicians to effectively challenge or contain this shift towards racialized language. It shows a need for a stronger response to counteract these harmful ideas.

Are White People a Protected Class Now?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1340 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Supreme Court Affirmative Action Race Issues Corporate Policy
  1. The Supreme Court has ended affirmative action, which changes how universities and companies can consider race in hiring and admissions.
  2. After the George Floyd protests, many companies reportedly hired very few white individuals, focusing more on diversity and inclusivity.
  3. New court rulings now state that certain diversity hiring practices could be seen as discrimination, which raises questions about fairness in hiring.

It’s Time for the Government to Abolish ‘Race’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4219 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Issues Government Policy Civil Rights Identity politics
  1. The government has been categorizing people into limited racial groups since 1977, which critics argue is outdated and arbitrary.
  2. Changes to these categories are coming, with the 2030 census set to have seven defined races instead of five, but these classifications are still seen as confusing and nonsensical.
  3. Some people believe that instead of having these set racial categories, the concept of race should be completely abolished in government practices.

Victim Vision: Episode 177

Disaffected Newsletter • 299 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Issues Fake news Social Issues Dark humor Legislation
  1. There are cases of people fabricating hate messages and blaming them on others, raising questions about honesty in discussions on race.
  2. A report on black Americans' feelings about race has been revised after complaints, highlighting how data can be influenced by outside opinions.
  3. Some groups are pushing to change traditional language and address controversial topics, like gender and parenting, in unexpected ways.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Anti-white bigotry is real and a clear and present danger

Disaffected Newsletter • 1838 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Issues Social justice Identity politics Political Discourse Civil Rights
  1. Anti-white bigotry exists and needs to be recognized. It's important to acknowledge that not everyone experiences the same treatment based on their race.
  2. Many white people feel a sense of fear or shame about discussing their experiences. This reluctance could lead to negative consequences if not addressed.
  3. There's a call to action for white individuals to express their concerns and experiences more openly. It’s vital for everyone to feel safe and heard, regardless of their background.

Why I wrote an article questioning the prevalence of white supremacy in psychology

Heterodox STEM • 170 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Race Issues Psychology Education Social justice
  1. The American Psychological Association apologized for its past role in racism, highlighting the need for change in the field. Psychologists must acknowledge history while moving forward to support all communities.
  2. A detailed critique of clinical psychology accused it of harboring racism and called for an anti-racist approach. The authors believe that psychology must evolve to be more inclusive and fair.
  3. The response to the critique showed mixed feelings, with some supporting it and others opposing it. This indicates a deep divide in psychology on how to address racism and maintain scientific integrity.

Everything is Racist

The Rabbit Hole • 707 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Race Issues Society Media Food Science
  1. Some discussions on racism have expanded to include seemingly innocuous items like food, drinks, and activities.
  2. Various items such as coffee, fitness, AI, and potatoes have been linked to racism in different articles and discussions.
  3. The all-encompassing nature of these discussions reflects an increasing awareness and sensitivity around the topic of race.

Is everything racist? A book recommendation

Disaffected Newsletter • 899 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Issues Meritocracy Wokeness Cultural critique
  1. The book 'When Race Trumps Merit' by Heather MacDonald discusses how feelings about race impact various aspects of society. It argues that these emotions are hurting our institutions and relationships.
  2. MacDonald points out that classical music is currently facing challenges because of politically charged decisions. Some believe they need to change the way they operate to survive.
  3. The issues raised in the book extend beyond music to areas like medicine and science, showing how extreme views can disrupt many important fields. It's an eye-opening look at a serious problem.

How Dare They Not Denounce Me as a Racist!

Unsafe Science • 122 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Issues Social Science Free speech
  1. Critics of microaggression research often face accusations of racism, which can stifle scientific discussion. It's important for science to allow critical evaluation without labeling dissenters negatively.
  2. Many claims about microaggressions lack strong scientific backing. Researchers have not effectively shown that microaggressions are widespread, harmful, or caused by racism.
  3. The current approach to discussing microaggressions may threaten free speech and genuine academic inquiry. It's essential to keep an open mind and question research claims for a healthy scientific environment.

The Discrimination Paradox

Unsafe Science • 91 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Discrimination Race Issues Social justice Research Methodology
  1. People can experience discrimination even if it happens very rarely. For example, studies show that something like 36% more callbacks were given to White job applicants compared to Black ones, even though only a small number of actual discriminatory acts occurred.
  2. There are different ways to look at discrimination: one way focuses on how often discrimination happens in actions, and another looks at the overall impact on people's experiences. This can make it seem like there are contradictions in findings about discrimination.
  3. Small amounts of discrimination can still have a big effect, especially in competitive situations. Even if discrimination happens infrequently, it can lead to significant problems for those affected, such as fewer job opportunities.

Reflections on Politics at Thanksgiving Dinner

Nothing Human • 50 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Family Dynamics Social norms Race Issues Communication styles
  1. At family dinners, people often avoid talking about tough topics to keep the peace. It's common for family members to feel pressure to respond politely instead of honestly.
  2. One person wanted to see if the family felt comfortable discussing their thoughts on race in art. This showed a desire for deeper connection and honesty among loved ones.
  3. It's important to create a safe space where family can share their true feelings, even if those feelings are uncomfortable. Trust and openness can help strengthen family bonds.

Comments on "It's okay to be white, it's not great to troll about it"

normality’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Issues Political theory Public Discourse
  1. Slogans can be easily misunderstood, so they need to have clear explanations and context when introduced. It's important to communicate what a slogan really means to avoid confusion.
  2. Both sides can use catchy slogans, but some may not align with classic liberal values of judging individuals fairly. It's essential to think about how to respond thoughtfully instead of just matching slogans.
  3. Classical liberalism is all about truth and positive communication. Instead of resorting to trolling, we should focus on being persuasive and maintaining faith in our principles.