What Is ‘Systemic Racism,’ Really? — Robert W. Merry

Feels like another power grab designed to humiliate white middle and working class 'deplorables' already hunkered down and defensive.

The author apparently doesn't realize it, but this post is an example of systemic racism.

Systemic racism is attitudinal (cognitive-affective bias) rather than overtly behavioral or consciously held and acted upon as such.

Many people that don't consciously consider themselves racists are "cultural racists."

It is very difficult not to be a "racist," "nationalist," or some other "exceptionalist" in that evolution and history trains individuals  and social groups to dislike difference. Evolution favors kinship for preserve generic lines by transmitting DNA, and group selection favors in-group competition but in-group cooperation against out-groups. The result is tribalism, where nationalism is scaled up tribalism based on family, clan, tribe, nation kinship. This has led to conflict historically.

Individual reproduction is biological, and social reproduction is cultural. So there is not only racial bias but also cultural bias.

Is this reciprocal where there is ethic and cultural difference? Yes, it is, and it may be conscious or subliminal. 

It just depends on which group is in power or in a position to dominate who is advantaged and who is disadvantaged.

Is this the human condition? In the sense it has a natural origin, yes. In the sense of it is rigidly determinative, no. Raising the level collective consciousness results in greater universality among individuals and also socially and culturally. One of the first steps is becoming aware of the dynamics of this process.

America is unique as "the melting pot." Part of America's destiny is raising the level of collective consciousness through increasing universality of its people. Being constituted as a liberal nation, this destiny is forced upon Americans, who have to deal with it, like or not. It is a messy process, but who else is going to do it at scale?

The American Conservative

What Is ‘Systemic Racism,’ Really?
Robert W. Merry, former Wall Street Journal Washington correspondent and Congressional Quarterly CEO