How significant is racism in the US?
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, Peter Boghossian engaged two women and two school-age girls with the claim, “Racism is a significant problem in the US.” All four participants are people of color.
The conversation began with examples of racism by white people in hiring, restaurant service, and classrooms, though participants agreed that racism can be exhibited by people of all races. The group rejected Ibram X. Kendi’s claim that addressing past racism requires present racism.
Participants considered what tools could be used to measure societal racism and the importance of intent and impact in possible racist interactions. One woman rejected subjective experience as a data point, saying, “I can feel like someone’s being racist to me but that doesn’t mean it’s true.”
In this conversation, individuals used the term “colored people,” which may feel outdated or even racist to some listeners. This commentary by John McWhorter examines the use of this and other controversial race-related terms.
This is the first time I've ever liked every comment!
These kids give me hope. They seem to be open minded good people who have decent parents/role models.