How Anti-Racism Is Hurting Black America | John McWhorter | EP 241

As a motorcycle rider, we are taught that where we look is where we will go. If we look at the ditch, we'll end up in the ditch, if we look at the car crossing our path we'll ending colliding with the car crossing our path. If we want to stay out of danger we look where we want to go, instead of the ditch we look as far ahead up the road as we can. Instead of looking at the car crossing our path, we look at the opening the car is leaving us to move around the car. If you look at oppression rather than the ways around oppression, you'll be oppressed.

John McWhorter is an incredible thinker. As an African American teacher that teaches in a mostly black middle school, I am frustrated to see my students look for racism in places where it doesn’t even exist. It’s not to say that racism doesn’t exist and that our experiences aren’t valid, but looking for potentially racist encounters is anti-intellectual toward the actual cause. They have argued that not being allowed to have a phone during class is racist, or that not being allowed to talk during a test is racist. For some, being atheist is being anti-black. I wish they were joking because the backlash is real. They begin to internalize victimization, and then they stop putting effort into self improvement. Suspending belief is the death of critical thinking. Great interview!

This is the best interview I've seen anyone conduct with John McWhorter. Jordan showed a real interest in understanding McWhorter and shared enough of an academic interest in some rather esoteric topics.
Truly enjoyable conversation.

This dialogue is literally pure genius! This is a free session of master works.

Discovering Jordan Peterson is like finding a legendary two-handed shield that can also be used as a sword

John McWhorter and his frequent partner Glen Loury are some of the most underrated academics and public intellectuals in Western discourse today. These are not just black issues, they speak to all peoples, all creeds and the fact that their voices and Dr. Peterson's are somehow seen as a out of left field, heterodox views is an indictment of Western media, politics and culture.

One of the things that I absolutely love about Jordan is that it's very important for him to make sure that he doesn't misinterpret people. I've seen him make it a point to make sure his guests have what they are trying to explain, explained. He always lets them know to interject if he has something wrong. He really is a great interviewer and I wish more interviewers would practice this very thing that Jordan does. It's great.

Blew my mind to hear Dr. McWhorter describe my own experience with musical theatre and how it literally feels like church. Beautiful moment in this conversation.

Two intelligent, articulate people having a conversation is a delight.

Simply outstanding. Intelligent, informative, non-combative long-form media is such a rarity. What’s even more rare is when it’s done right: both “sides” simply seeking to understand. It’s why the mainstream goes after Dr. Peterson with such zeal. God forbid we begin critically evaluating the culture.

Im truly amazed how articulate these gentlemen are! Makes me want to pick up a book and start reading so i could expand my vocabulary and be able to express myself better

Never have I ever felt the need to listen to ANY podcast a second time, right away! This was just too good; the cautious optimism in this conversation has given me more hope and more joy, than anything I've heard in YEARS!!

I can’t agree with this conversation more. As a 40 something black man, even though I grew up experiencing racism from some, not all, racism was not my “experience”. It was something I experienced. When it happened, it was a terrible feeling and yes, it frustrated my progress at times. I was taught to push through it and have become successful thanks to strong parents, family and the like. Things have gotten better since then. These days most of the times I even think about racism is when someone wants to talk to me about it… which I honestly don’t enjoy. I’ve got better things to think about. Does racism exist? Absolutely. Is it a part of or at the forefront of my everyday life? Absolutely not. Maybe people are looking at me thinking racist thoughts and I’m oblivious to it lol, but things have gotten better. Better to the point that I can feel the difference as compared to my younger years. Here’s the thing. America has gotten better for all classes of people. But the more we ring the bell of special interest and the more we retreat into our separate groups, the more we risk the phenomenon of self segregation and a return to the days of looking across the field at one another with suspicion, fear and hatred… because we no longer live with and talk to one another. This will make racism return to its former un-glory. And I don’t like that.

Every other week I listen to the Glenn Show with John McWhorter and read as many of his books I can get ahold of, and I often found myself hoping he would have a conversation with Dr. Peterson. Because of the exchange at the Aspen Festival a few years ago I didn't think it would happen, but here we are. So thrilled to experience this!

Thought-provoking. I appreciate being able to witness this conversation between intellectuals

I am so relieved to see these men talk, two of my favorite public intellectuals who are truly on the same side of the current "culture war," despite their apparent political differences. They are both role models for me on how to speak, to think, to dare to be wise.

I like that JP doesn’t only talk about current events with his guests, but gets them talking about deeper things like music, art, beauty!! love you JP!!

As an animator I can attest to the fact that even action is music when you are animating a character. The foot steps are a beat to which you time the drawings of the the character putting their feet to the ground. Movement is harmonic. Disney animators (classical 2D animators) are pioneers in this study. And that is why every frame is magic there.

I can’t believe I was enrolled in his class last semester. Such an incredible professor and he’s on a podcast with my favorite human being in the world… JP!!!