The hottest Race relations Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Seems Racist to Me

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 3177 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Racism Elections Political Campaigns Media Public Opinion Race relations
  1. Kamala Harris thinks giving weed to young Black men will help her get their votes, which seems disrespectful. If a white person suggested something similar for white votes, it would be considered racist.
  2. People want jobs and affordable groceries, not things like free weed or reparations. They want real support, not just offers that seem shallow.
  3. Donald Trump connects with voters as a working-class candidate, while Kamala Harris struggles to get her message across. This difference in approach is affecting how voters see them.

Eric Adams Is in Deep Sh*t

Glenn Loury • 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.

‘Am I a Racist?’ Is Brilliant. More Importantly, It's Funny

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 456 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Social Issues Cultural critique Media Analysis Race relations
  1. Matt Walsh's documentary 'Am I a Racist?' uses humor to criticize the DEI industry and its practices. It shows how some people profit from creating racial tensions.
  2. The film exposes the contradiction in some anti-racist beliefs, where individuals are seen only through their group identity. Walsh highlights the absurdity of these ideas while making the audience laugh.
  3. Alongside the mockery, the film also presents positive examples of people who view others as individuals, suggesting a more constructive way to address racism.

This is not a good way to fight racism in America

Noahpinion • 34882 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race relations Discrimination Diversity Social Issues Government Policy
  1. Creating a multiracial society requires deep societal changes and can't be achieved through quick fixes or shortcuts
  2. Forging a shared national identity in a diverse society is challenging but achievable through extended, cooperative contact between racial groups
  3. Efforts to combat racism through shortcuts like discriminatory practices or oversimplified diversity training often backfire and require long-term, thoughtful solutions

The Messy Thicket of Change

Culture Study • 2436 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Religion Social justice Community Politics Race relations
  1. It's important to let everyday people create their own solutions for social change, instead of just following easy steps set by others. This helps them feel more connected and invested in the process.
  2. The journey towards racial justice is messy and often includes mistakes, but the willingness to work through those challenges together is crucial for real progress.
  3. Building a supportive community where everyone feels they belong encourages deeper conversations about tough topics like racism, making it easier for people to come together and act for change.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

READING: Martin Luther King, Jr. (1958): Out of the Long Night

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 192 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Social justice Race relations Historical context
  1. Nonviolent resistance is a powerful way to fight for justice. It focuses on love and understanding instead of anger and violence.
  2. The struggle for freedom and equality will keep going until everyone is free. People who face injustice have a strong desire to fight for their rights.
  3. It's important for everyone, especially churches, to stand against racism and inequality. Many people stay quiet, and that can be just as harmful.

Derek Chauvin Did Not Murder George Floyd

Glenn Loury • 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.

MLK’s Former Speechwriter: ‘We Are Trying to Save the Soul of America’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 7169 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race relations Civil Rights Movement Activism Equality Social justice
  1. Clarence Jones had a close relationship with Martin Luther King Jr. and was able to write speeches that perfectly captured King's voice and tone.
  2. Jones believes that the messages of Martin Luther King Jr., including radical nonviolence and building alliances across ethnic lines, have been forgotten in America.
  3. Jones played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement by fundraising, helping with King's speeches, and forming alliances, emphasizing the importance of coalition support, especially from the American Jewish community.

The Exquisite Irony of Claudine Gay's Downfall

Glenn Loury • 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.

Thanks to a Twitter Fight, MAGA Learns Marxism the Hard Way

JoeWrote • 186 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Satire Political Conflict Political Ideologies Social Issues Race relations
  1. There's a big split in the MAGA group between those who focus on nationalism and those leaning towards capitalist interests. This conflict shows how complicated their alliances really are.
  2. Many MAGA supporters are starting to realize that leaders like Trump and Musk don't truly have their best interests at heart. Instead, they're more focused on making money and enhancing their own power.
  3. This ongoing fight among conservatives highlights the importance of workers' rights and class struggles against the wealthy elite who often disguise their self-interest with national pride.

What Does Trump's Second Term Mean for Black America?

Journal of Free Black Thought • 36 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policies Race relations Government Public Opinion
  1. Trump's second term may come with strong support from Republicans, making it easier for him to push his agenda. This could lead to changes that impact Black Americans, but there will likely be strong opposition from some Black leaders and organizations.
  2. His approach to policies affecting education and policing might be controversial. For example, he plans to end federal education involvement, which raises concerns about how this will affect Black students.
  3. Many of Trump's policies, like imposing tariffs, could hurt low-income communities, including Black Americans. These changes might limit job opportunities and increase living costs, making economic conditions tougher for them.

Daniel Penny Is A Hero

Journal of Free Black Thought • 101 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Public Safety Media Criticism Political Accountability Race relations
  1. Daniel Penny was found not guilty for the death of Jordan Neely during a subway incident. Many believe he acted in defense of other passengers who felt threatened.
  2. There were concerns that the media focused too much on race in this situation, ignoring facts like other passengers helping Penny and Neely's troubling behavior.
  3. The writer argues that the real issues are the failures of the local politicians to handle problems like homelessness and mental health, rather than blaming Penny for the incident.

Quibbling with Cofnas: I

Not On Your Team, But Always Fair • 1690 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Ideology Social Policy Genetics Human Evolution Race relations
  1. The hereditarian thesis acknowledges that different human groups have varied traits, but using the term 'race realism' may not be the best way to describe this concept.
  2. Social outcomes are influenced by both genetic differences and cultural patterns, making 'race' a limited descriptor for these variations.
  3. While genes play a role in social outcomes, factors like culture and social circumstances also significantly impact these outcomes, suggesting that a broader perspective than 'race realism' is needed.

America Has Black Nationalism, Not Balkanization

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 4023 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race relations Demographics Government Policy Political Ideologies
  1. American racial politics should be understood as primarily about Black Nationalism versus everyone else, rather than just whites versus minorities.
  2. The power and impact of America's assimilation capacity and focus on black issues in politics are significant and have defied demographic changes.
  3. Fighting to eliminate racial classifications and recognition for non-black minorities may be more important than battling Black Nationalism directly, as black-centered politics tend to remain irrespective of external influences.

What Happened to the Black-Jewish Alliance?

Glenn Loury • 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.

Livestream Event: Glenn Loury on Clarence Thomas

Glenn Loury • 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.

'Gone With the Wind': The Explosive Lost Scenes

The Ankler • 884 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Film History Race relations Social Impact
  1. At the Atlanta premiere of Gone With the Wind, there was a hidden civil war over how slavery should be depicted in the movie, leading to the exclusion of some intense scenes.
  2. Gone With the Wind, a highly successful film, faced criticism for its romanticized portrayal of slavery, which influenced perceptions of race relations worldwide.
  3. The legacy of Gone With the Wind is complex, with debates surrounding its portrayal of slavery, the impact on culture, and the role of key figures like Hattie McDaniel in the movie's history.

The Case for Unabashed Black Patriotism

Journal of Free Black Thought • 55 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race relations Patriotism Social Policy Inequality Identity politics
  1. Racial inequality is a real issue, but focusing only on it can be harmful. It's important to recognize broader social problems while also acknowledging these realities.
  2. The narrative that black people adopt about their country matters greatly. They can choose to see the U.S. as a place of opportunity or as a site of oppression.
  3. True equality for black Americans comes from claiming their rights and opportunities directly, rather than waiting for others to grant them equality.

Don't Let Anyone Tell You Americans Are Too Polarized to Disagree Passionately but Productively

Journal of Free Black Thought • 37 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Discourse Race relations Public Engagement Community Building
  1. People can have deep and respectful discussions about tough topics, even when they disagree. It's possible to talk about sensitive issues without ending friendships.
  2. The recent meetup showed that when diverse individuals share their views and listen to each other, meaningful conversations can happen. Differences can lead to understanding instead of conflict.
  3. Hope exists for better communication in society. If a small group of strangers can connect positively, it's a sign that larger conversations can also be productive.

Holding on to being human

Disaffected Newsletter • 1358 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🎭️ Culture Social Behavior Human Interaction Race relations Customer Service
  1. People often experience rudeness instead of kindness in customer service today. Many have become used to being ignored or treated poorly, which can affect how they respond to friendly interactions.
  2. Cultural changes play a big role in how people interact with each other, especially in stores. Different groups can show very different attitudes, leading to frustration and misunderstandings.
  3. Observing these changes in everyday interactions is important. Recognizing the decline in human connection helps encourage better communication and kindness in our daily lives.

This is why race is always going to be held up as vital

Tilting At Windmills • 294 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race relations Social justice Political criticism
  1. Race continues to be a significant issue, especially when individuals use it as a shield against criticism.
  2. Some individuals exploit race to divert attention from their unethical behaviors and make themselves immune to accountability.
  3. There are people, like the mayor mentioned, who perpetuate racial tensions by leveraging race as an excuse for their actions, hindering progress towards a society where race is not a defining factor.

Your Social Media Experience is Bad, Regardless of Race and Gender

House of Strauss • 56 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Critique Social Issues Race relations
  1. Social media experiences can be bad for everyone, no matter their race or gender. Many people face negativity and harsh comments online.
  2. People's experiences on platforms like Twitter can vary greatly based on their background. However, that doesn't mean others can't also face challenges.
  3. There's a growing recognition that everyone struggles with social media in their own way. It's not just a problem for specific groups; it's a widespread issue.

Real Talk about Race and Murder Rates

Handwaving Freakoutery • 1233 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race relations Crime Rates Family Dynamics Social Issues Economics
  1. The key to solving the murder problem in the United States lies in repairing the family unit across all demographics.
  2. Murder rates in the US do not correlate with gun ownership by race; 'it's the guns' is not explanatory for the differences in murder rates.
  3. Single motherhood, particularly the absence of fathers, is a major factor in predicting high murder rates across different racial demographics in the US.

Woodrow the Terrible, Warren the Good

Bastiat's Window • 393 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidents Race relations Civil Liberties Foreign Policy Government
  1. Presidential historians tend to rate Woodrow Wilson highly and Warren Harding poorly, but recent perspectives are starting to shift.
  2. Woodrow Wilson's racist tendencies and damaging actions have overshadowed his accomplishments.
  3. Warren Harding, despite being perceived as in over his head, managed to achieve significant positive outcomes during his presidency.

Where Is the Love?

Journal of Free Black Thought • 22 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race relations Identity politics Election Commentary
  1. There aren't many memoirs written by white men about their relationships with black women, which is surprising given the rise in interracial marriages.
  2. Events like 'White Dudes for Harris' show the importance of white men publicly supporting black female leaders. It's a step towards better race relations.
  3. There's a noticeable cultural gap where more black women authors write about love with white men, but there's a lack of similar stories from white men, highlighting a missed opportunity for shared experiences.

The Great White Defendant

In My Tribe • 653 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Current Events Race relations
  1. The author discusses the dynamics of racial perceptions and biases in the legal system.
  2. The post highlights how the roles of individuals involved can be perceived differently based on racial considerations.
  3. It contrasts the reactions to a situation based on race between different time periods and locations.