'Let's stop courting confusion and call it what it really is'. All right, then. Antisemitism is Racism, BECAUSE it is what we believe it to be. How do we change beliefs? I do not know. There is a re-visitation of John Dewey, upcoming. I have admired him as pragmatist and educator, but do not know enough about him yet to assess his primal leanings on racism---if indeed, he had any. But his feelings toward belief were pretty well stated in his life and works. He thought beliefs suspect, ('shady') at best. Additionally, he noted that belief need not be based on belief in God., saying something like: religion and science, ... both, equally, are what they are because human beings HAVE THE INTERESTS THEY DO (emphasis added).Bingo. (He could have added IRRELIGION, but that might have been throwing the baby out with the bath water. Or something). Just as we cannot legislate morality, (as some have asserted foolishly), we cannot legislate reason, as the Humanists seem to be advocating, of late. I told them today that I thought their legislative support was misplaced---don't expect to hear anything about that notion. I do not mind, one way or the other. My contention is that we cannot stop the 'courting of confusion', when facts have no affect on those whose minds are 'made up'. This is one of the thornier problems of society. I would like it to be resolved. That solution may take more than we can muster. now or ever...unless we learn the true meaning of 'reason', in all of its implications. Be well, Dr. Livingstone Smith. Kudos to PT: always there; always cordial....
Neuman.

The crackpot notion that Jews are a distinct race yet contemporary anti-semitism is racism even though there's no such thing as biological race?

is this what passes for reasoning in philosophy departments? they should be called "juvenile sophistry departments".

all jews are closer to one another at genetic level than they are to any group of non-jews. ashkenazi, mizrahi, sephardi. it doesn't matter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_studies_on_Jews

"ο άνθρωπος είναι το μέτρο όλων των πραγμάτων>" "Man is the measure of all things." Protagoras

The effect of these measurements is the division some call racism. We have been taught to measure everything, it is the scientific method. But who are we to measure or judge anything? Until One knows everything One can judge nothing. As to the question: is nature measurable, is it? What is it's measurement? How many leaves are on a tree? How many grains of sand are on a beach? Which way does a river flow? Measure divides, truth unites. In that division is inequity. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." All men or all things? When all is equal all is One.
The flaw is measure, something we have all been taught to do. We measure and divide everything inequitably, and as science has proven, the measure of nature is uncertain at best. Quantum mechanics anyone. Einstein knew that Nature is not a dice game, a game of measure and probability, but sadly he could not find the solution that would have corrected our Way. It was the speed of light, a measurement he was told was constant that stood in his way, our way. Beyond the speed of light is an immeasurable light, a light at the end of the tunnel, the Promised Land, One that is here, is now, is just, is equal, is right. All we have to do is be it, be true, be certain, be One. =

There is little doubt that racism as we understand it today is associated with skin color. The purchase and kidnapping of individuals with dark skin benefited slave owners by improving identification and thereby improving the control of slaves. The myth of the savage and the claims of genetic, moral and intellectual inferiority were attributed to Africans and anyone genetically linked to them. The goal of these characterizations was to justify slavery and protect profits. Some profits paid for and benefited those scientists, historians, philosophers, doctors, religious leaders, politicians and institutions that supported slavery. The creation of racism, white supremacy and the corruption of institutions were paid for and driven by profiteers. The practice of slavery is now illegal but the impact to institutions and the misrepresentation of facts remains.

For example, it is certain that the history of what is called Greek philosophy and major world religions all have significant connections to Africa. The writing of Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, Aristotle, Pythagoras and other ancient sources confirm this. Many Greeks traveled and/or studied in Africa according to their own reports. It is well documented that Pythagoras and other Greeks spent years studying in Egypt. It would seem natural to investigate why the Greeks went to Egypt to study and what they studied. Instead, the association with Egypt appears to be intentionally kept at a distance. Historians are content to ignore any African influences, relationships or creation of Greek doctrines.

The white supremacist mindset credits all accomplishments to whites. Advanced civilizations must be white or at least part white. This is why it is claimed that whites migrated to Africa to create Egypt. This is why it is claimed that those Egyptians painted pictures of themselves with black and brown skin but were not dark skinned. This is why the relationship of Greek philosophy to Africa was not seen. The racist view cannot accept that Egypt is a black civilization. It also cannot accept that blacks developed much of philosophy and taught the Greeks. The idea that aliens from space taught the Egyptians is more acceptable than the idea of black geniuses.

Books like Stolen Legacy and Black Athena have argued for different views of the African contribution to philosophy and the Greeks. However, one does not have to agree with these books to conclude that the story of Greek philosophy conveniently ignores important details and relationships.

The concept of race has no scientific validity but the belief in it persists due to constant reinforcement. If philosophy departments care about racism, they might consider some adjustments. Racism is not just what we say but sometimes what we don't say. The evidence of African influence on classical Greek philosophy is overwhelming. Philosophy departments can help counter racism by teaching from a perspective that recognizes the contributions of all.

Herodotus
Diodorus Siculus
Stolen Legacy
Reformation of African History
Black Athena

Returning to my comments of May 8, the matter turns on what people do based on the interests they have. This is problematic, because THOSE interests turn upon Foucault's notions about power. And, if it were not founded upon skin color; ethnicity; socio-economic position; class; caste or some other manufactured ineffability, the entire notion of discriminatory treatment (i.e., racism, etc.) would have no traction. Dewey, and others, have already sorted this out. Question is: how do we change the 'nature' which has brought all this about. That would resemble (somewhat): How do we reverse or re-engineer the damage now being done by social media? Assuming, of course, recognition that such damage is now being done... This, too, is doing philosophy. Thanks, Tim, for your support.

There is a direct relationship between racist behavior and racist beliefs. When the false information that bolsters the racist belief system is unchallenged, all are damaged. We know that truth is not a magic solution. The truth is often known to those who spread lies or distort the truth. However, I believe that truth and education are the best weapons for a problem that is belief driven. We should teach the truth and education must include morality. I know the question of whose morality comes with such a suggestion but our technological capabilities make this an issue we cannot ignore. In America the average person has access to technology that allows them to kill hundreds. Presidents control the technology to kill billions. Given these realities, we cannot leave educational, emotional and moral development completely to chance. It is necessary to develop more than loyalty to democracy, capitalism, individualism and competition. We compete for everything, teach the value of success but never what do you do when you lose or fail. Blame everyone, hate everyone and kill everyone is too often the answer. The equation is unbalanced because the mathematics of developing your economic, political and legal systems around competition does not require concern for others or morality. Institutions based on the behavior of beasts are devolution and do not reflect the ideals that man should aspire to. Much effort is put into teaching love for this country and these institutions but little toward love for truth, justice or each other. It is the "nature" of what we teach and how we teach that influences the evolution of thought. Education can be part of the solution or the dysfunction. Social media is a tool. Racism is a tool. Education is a tool. Education must include and consider values beyond political indoctrination.