Thomas Sowell: 'Systemic Racism' Has 'No Meaning'

[Revmitchell]

Conservative African American economist Thomas Sowell says that the term “systemic racism,” which is central to the Black Lives Matter movement, has “no meaning.”

You hear this phrase, ‘systemic racism’ [or] ‘systemic oppression’,” host Mark Levin told Sowell. “You hear it on our college campuses. You hear it from very wealthy and fabulously famous sports stars. What does that mean? And whatever it means, is it true?”
“It really has no meaning that can be specified and tested in the way that one tests hypotheses,” answered Sowell, who added that the currency of the phrase reminds him of the “propaganda tactics” of Nazi Germany, where Sowell claimed that if a lie was “repeated long enough and loud enough” it would be widely believed.

Thomas Sowell: 'Systemic Racism' Has 'No Meaning'

 

[Ziggy]

"All effective propaganda must be confined to a few bare essentials and those must be expressed as far as possible in stereotyped formulas. These slogans should be persistently repeated until the very last individual has come to grasp the idea that has been put forward."

—Hitler, Mein Kampf, chapter 6.

 

[church mouse guy]

Sowell is 90 years old and still on the frontlines. Everyone is saying that the Great Society made a lot of this mess because it gave federal welfare to women with children as long as there was no man in the house. FDR said that welfare is a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. FDR should know--he invented modern welfare.

 

[rlvaughn]

Wow, I did not realize Thomas Sowell is that old!

 

[JonC]

Wow, I did not realize Thomas Sowell is that old!

It sneaks up on us .

 

[church mouse guy]

Wow, I did not realize Thomas Sowell is that old!

He just had a birthday a week or two ago.

 

[Marooncat79]

Very intelligent Academic

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

Wow, I did not realize Thomas Sowell is that old!

He certainly didn't look it in the picture.

 

[Particular]

Systemic Racism has been defined. People just want to deny it because they haven't experienced it. Therefore, ignorance is bliss.

This is my only comment here as I am well aware that the blinders are on for many who post at the BB.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

Systemic Racism has been defined. People just want to deny it because they haven't experienced it. Therefore, ignorance is bliss.

This isn't "people." This is one black man who eventually rejected the Left.

Yours sounds like an empty cliche' rather than rebuttal to the thesis. The quoted point was this:

"You hear this phrase, ‘systemic racism’ [or] ‘systemic oppression’,” host Mark Levin told Sowell. “You hear it on our college campuses. You hear it from very wealthy and fabulously famous sports stars. What does that mean? And whatever it means, is it true?”

“It really has no meaning that can be specified and tested in the way that one tests hypotheses,” answered Sowell, who added that the currency of the phrase reminds him of the “propaganda tactics” of Nazi Germany, where Sowell claimed that if a lie was “repeated long enough and loud enough” it would be widely believed.​

 

[Revmitchell]

Systemic Racism has been defined.

Yea, by who?

People just want to deny it because they haven't experienced it. Therefore, ignorance is bliss.

In the case of the op the "denier" is a well educated and highly intelligent black man. So you see we can all take note that you read the title but not the actual op. I guess ignorance is bliss.

This is my only comment here as I am well aware that the blinders are on for many who post at the BB.

And we are all better off because of it.

 

[HeirofSalvation]

Sowell is 90 years old and still on the frontlines. Everyone is saying that the Great Society made a lot of this mess because it gave federal welfare to women with children as long as there was no man in the house. FDR said that welfare is a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. FDR should know--he invented modern welfare.

The most bold, truthfull, piquant, powerfull and important point made in this entire debate.

It would be a bold strategy to tell the fundamental truths of this matter, and one would be crucified for it.
But, in order to truly care for the black community in this nation, we need to help them fix their homes.
That requires fathers in the home (you don't fix that by releasing felonious fathers out of prison)....For our liberal friends who pretend to care about black families (they don't).

You do so, by removing what were meant as "widows benefits" (emphasis WIDOW) from random women who have children outside of wedlock, assuming the welfare system will care for them even if they destroy their homes and families.
Absolutely no one who pretends to care about black lives is anything but a liar at worst, or an ignoramus at best, if they cannot understand that that issue is the one which is destroying their lives and their sub-culture.
If that issue is not addressed first, they will remain nothing but prisoners and slaves of the State.

 

[HeirofSalvation]

Systemic Racism has been defined.

So have slang words in every dictionary.
Sowell's point is that it is not a testable hypothesis defined sufficiently precisely to test whether it exists or not, or in what if any degree.

People just want to deny it because they haven't experienced it.

No.
They want a testable and quantifiable definition to know whether you are telling the truth or are merely a lying Communist.
You would refuse a more testable and quantifiable definition because it wouldn't give you the results you want.
You know that full well.

Therefore, ignorance is bliss.

It is.
You want to assert untestable hypotheses without definition which cannot be quantified or tested or verified.
Only if you can do that can you continue to argue as you do.
What you do instead is assert it as a matter of faith and (without using the term) simply decree as "heretics" those who wish to question the voracity of your assertions.
You know full well they can't be meaningfully tested, or if they were, the results wouldn't be what you wanted so, you don't want to define the term.

This is my only comment here as I am well aware that the blinders are on for many who post at the BB.

This is your only comment because you have absolutely no argument whatsoever...
You are hoping some bystanders will accept your assertions ex-cathedra because logic, clear definitions (which you would intentionally fail to provide) science, testable hypotheses and truth are not on your side and you know it.
Thomas Sowell also knows it, and he's trying to expose the lies you are repeating....because unlike liberals, Thomas Sowell actually cares about Black human beings made in God's image.

 

[Particular]

One does not have to agree with the Marxist group known as Black Lives Matter to agree with the obvious reality that systemic racism exists in the United States. The evidence is in the countless stories and experiences of people of color living in the US.
Hide behind a stated desire for an objective, testable social science experiment if you must.

 

[HeirofSalvation]

One does not have to agree with the Marxist group known as Black Lives Matter to agree with the obvious reality that systemic racism exists in the United States.

TRUE!!!!!!!!!
You are absolutely correct!
Agreed!

So, Give us a quantifiable, and testable definition of the term so we can verify whether it is true or not.

The evidence

We aren't at "evidence" yet.....we are at "definition"...
Do you not agree that we need to define something before we can gain "evidence" for it?
What are we gathering "evidence" (a defined term) for?
If we are gathering "evidence" for "systemic racism"....very well, let's do it.
Please define "systemic racism".

Hide behind a stated desire for an objective, testable social science experiment if you must.

No, let's assume for argument's sake that "systemic racism" exists....

Please just DEFINE for us what "systemic racism" means.
It does mean something doesn't it???
Can't you tell us what it means?

Lemme try a different tactic:
I'm a dumb hick white conservative Republican white dude who likes NASCAR or somethin' who obviously isn't as enlightened as his holiness Particular must be.....

Please define for me what "Systemic Racism" is in such a way that I can identify whether it raises its monstrous head, or whether we've sufficiently dealt with it. My hick head is terrified that some disease you call "systemic racism" is poisoning our country, and I am using up all my masks to protect myself from Covid. Please tell me what "Systemic Racism" means........

GO!!!!

 

[Particular]

TRUE!!!!!!!!!
You are absolutely correct!
Agreed!

So, Give us a quantifiable, and testable definition of the term so we can verify whether it is true or not.

We aren't at "evidence" yet.....we are at "definition"...
Do you not agree that we need to define something before we can gain "evidence" for it?
What are we gathering "evidence" (a defined term) for?
If we are gathering "evidence" for "systemic racism"....very well, let's do it.
Please define "systemic racism".

No, let's assume for argument's sake that "systemic racism" exists....

Please just DEFINE for us what "systemic racism" means.
It does mean something doesn't it???
Can't you tell us what it means?

Lemme try a different tactic:
I'm a dumb hick white conservative Republican white dude who likes NASCAR or somethin' who obviously isn't as enlightened as his holiness Particular must be.....

Please define for me what "Systemic Racism" is in such a way that I can identify whether it raises its monstrous head, or whether we've sufficiently dealt with it. My hick head is terrified that some disease you call "systemic racism" is poisoning our country, and I am using up all my masks to protect myself from Covid. Please tell me what "Systemic Racism" means........

GO!!!!

Give us a quantifiable, testable definition that you don't think racist thoughts. I will wait for you to share.

You are attempting to force a biological science test upon a social science issue. It is not possible to accomplish, which is precisely why you are narrowing the field. It is no different than me asking you to provide a qualtifiable and testable evidence that you do not think racist thoughts. It cannot be done. I have to observe what you claim and observe what you do and say. I must build a case for the position.
We have over 250 years of observed testimony to show the existence of systemic racism. You can accept the testimony or reject it.

It is clear you reject the overwhelming testimony of the centuries in order to hold your narrative.

 

[HeirofSalvation]

Give us a quantifiable, testable definition that you don't think racist thoughts.

That sentence has literally no deciferable meaning in the English language.
Can you define for me what a "testable definition" is????

I will wait for you to share

.
I cannot, as that sentence was literally unintelligible.

You are attempting to force a biological science test

Only a racist would think in terms of biological science on this issue.
I don't think it.
No one to this point (up until your august self) has mentioned anything about biological science.

upon a social science issue.

It is a social science issue.

It is not possible to accomplish,

What is not possible to accomplish?
Tell me exactly.

which is precisely why you are narrowing the field.

I narrow nothing...
I seek firstly and only that you define your terms....
DEFINE the term "Systemic Racism".

It is no different than me asking you to provide a qualtifiable and testable evidence that you do not think racist thoughts.

We are not seeking evidence of who does what...we are seeking to have you honestly tell us what you mean by the term "SYSTEMIC RACISM".

We have over 250 years of observed testimony to show the existence of systemic racism.

Maybe...
If you can define what "SYSTEMIC RACISM" is....than you have an argument.
Otherwise, you are possibly nothing more than a Christ-hating perverted liberal communist America-hater In my opinion.

You can accept the testimony or reject it.

The testimony of WHAT???

I have opened a thread for you to define at YOUR LEISURE what "SYSTEMIC RACISM" means.
If you refuse to be straightforward about terms, I can't speak with you, no one could.

What is Systemic Racism Particular?
Do you know?
Here's your chance to define it:
What is "Systemic Racism?"

 

[Revmitchell]

Do you know how many black people deny systematic racism in this country

 

[Use of Time]

Do you know how many black people deny systematic racism in this country

I know that you don’t know.

 

[Revmitchell]

This progressive religion that preaches systematic racism in America is unstable, cultish, and pure evil.