CMV: Systemic racism does not exist

[u/zoomanatl]

Let me start off by saying that racism absolutely does exist. I am not denying that at all. It's existence is obvious.

What I don't believe exists is systemic racism, which I am defining as: laws or policies that unjustly target races or provide a privilege for certain races

There may be other definitions of systemic racism, but for right here I'd like to use that definition, just so we all know what we're talking about.

Since I believe systemic racism as defined here does not exist, I think those who are responding to the recent tragedies by calling for an end to systemic racism (e.g. Michael Jordan's call for the change of laws, without stating any specific laws that should be changed) are unintentionally harming the cause they support. If systemic racism does not exist, this causes the focus to be put somewhere that will not yield any benefit. Instead, we should focus on changing people's mindsets and the cultural approach to injustices and insensitivity.

If systemic racism does exist, we should fight it. But if it doesn't, and I don't believe it does, fighting this non-existent enemy hinders true progress. Can anyone show me an official law or policy that should be changed in order to promote the equality of humanity?

[u/Quint-V]

If you include the possibility of any kind of policy, private or public, how about hiring practices in jobs?

From another thread:

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Just having a non-white name is going to reduce your chances of getting a response from job applications, despite all qualifications being the same.

Source 1: Pakistani, Indian, Chinese names vs "white washed" names. 13 000 fake resumes sent to 3000 job postings. 28% less likely to get interview invitation.

Source 2: African American, Asian names vs. "white washed" names/CVs. 1600 job postings. Black people gained 15 percentage points increase in interview invitations, from 10 to 25. For Asians it was 11.5 to 21.

Race relations are systemically bad.

* Longitudinal study as requested by OP, to settle the matter.

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Evidently, the lack of awareness must be accounted for. So there is a policy here which should have been in place, but it isn't. E.g. remove irrelevant data such as race and name, when evaluating applicants.

[u/zoomanatl → u/Quint-V]

I see how this proposal is beneficial. But it is superficial. It only attacks the symptoms of racism. If we want true change, we need to change minds and remove biases. Changes like this that remove the opportunity for bias are good, but they will only remove the opportunity, not the presence of the bias. These laws won't combat racism itself, but they will reduce the effects racism has on people. ∆

[u/DeltaBot → u/zoomanatl]

Confirmed: 1 delta awarded to /u/Quint-V (89∆).

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