Space for difference “The test of faith is whether I can make space for difference. Can I recognize God’s image in someone who is not in my image, whose language, faith, ideals, are different from mine? If I cannot, then […]
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Tag: Bigotry
Misogyny Is the Wrong Word for It
I know what people are getting at when they call a man a “misogynist.” It’s not a bad term, all things considered, to describe men’s mistreatment of women, but it misses something important. I’m interested in treating causes not symptoms […]
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The Key to Social Justice
Why do injustices continue to happen? We say it is because of prejudice but what is prejudice? It is difficult to fight something that we cannot define and one of the important tasks in philosophy is understanding what is behind social phenomena like prejudice. Recognition is the key.
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Misogyny is Cowardice: An Example
Of course I know some think this way, but it’s still a shock to see it. But as a philosophy professor, I recognize a teaching opportunity when I see it. I wrote before about how racism is cowardice and now […]
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Refusing To Wear Face Masks is Masking a Deeper Fear
One of the terms bandied about lately is “toxic masculinity.” The basic idea is obvious—that some men are so fixated on demonstrating how “manly” they are that they harm themselves and others in the process. I tend to frown on […]
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Let’s Call Racism What It Is: Structural Cowardice
What is racism? Hatred? Yes. Ignorance? Yes. But the hatred spewed by ignorant racist views are symptoms of a deeper dis-ease. We need to call racism what it really is — something larger than any individual but that springs from […]
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Why We Need More Black Voices in Philosophy
Trevor Noah is a comedian, but in a deeply personal and thoughtful video released 30 May 2020, he is a philosopher. It’s wonderful. Seriously, it is a brilliant piece of philosophy. You can view it here and even if you […]
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“If it happened once, it can happen again.”
“If it happened once, it can happen again.” – Primo Levi Not all wisdom is feel-good candy. Harsh truths can be the most important truths. The quote in the graphic above expresses one of the most important facts of our […]
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Understand that Nazis were not Monsters
Philosopher Stanley Cavell is correct: we must understand that Nazis were not monsters. Ridiculous you say? Yes and no. We must first understand what evil is. Hear me out. “To understand Nazism, whatever that will mean, will be to understand […]
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Stan Lee on Bigotry
Stan Lee on Bigotry Well said, Stan, better than most people with highfalutin degrees. God bless.
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