The special evil of racism lies in its historical tie to the “social and systematic horrors” of slavery
Laurence Blum argues that the special evil of racism lies in its historical tie to the “social and systematic horrors” of slavery, apartheid, Nazism, etc., in 2 ways:
- The fact of that connection
- Because present racism reminds us of that connection.
Do you agree? Why or why not? And if not, what do you think is the distinctive harm of racism? Or, if you think racism involves no distinctive evil, you can play the role in this discussion board of skeptic
Sample Answer
Agreeing with Blum:
Yes, I agree with Blum to a large extent. Racism’s historical connection to atrocities like slavery and genocide makes it a particularly pernicious evil. This connection is twofold:
- The Legacy of Injustice: The horrors of the past were built upon racist ideologies. Knowing that racism fueled such violence creates a moral weight and a sense of ongoing injustice. Present-day racism perpetuates this legacy, implying that the justifications used for past atrocities could be revived.
- The Threat of Repetition: The continued existence of racism suggests a vulnerability to repeating these horrors. When racist rhetoric and policies gain traction, it evokes memories of past oppression and raises concerns that such systems could be implemented again.