Posted by Anthony Gregory on 11/12/09 1:06 PM   [Newer: Another Nightmare of Governmentcare ] [Older: A Typical, Contradictory Defense of Fed Secrecy]

Although the statist left wishes to monopolize the anti-racist cause, the true American legacy against racial oppression is more tied up with classical liberalism and individual liberty. See Jonathan Bean on the controversy his book Race and Liberty has ellicted. The socialists argue that capitalism, individualism, constitutional federalism and commercial liberty have always been the enemies of racial harmony. From William Lloyd Garrison to Zora Neale Hurston, there is a forgotten tradition of anti-racist libertarianism. Also see Ron Paul's article on racism and government, as well as my C4L piece on racist collectivism.

Posted 11/12/09 8:59 PM Horsea Winnipeg, Canada

Antiracist libertarianism? That's something only white people would give a hoot about or identify with. What do you say to those races with a hive consciousness who will NEVER give a hoot for libertarianism or equal rights for white people, the people they despise but want to live near, anyway.

Posted 11/14/09 1:54 PM Glenn Cumming, GA

Thanks for this post, Anthony. Appreciate the additional links. On a topic such as this I always like to be sure I know the definitions. From my dictionary applet, I get this: "WordNet (r) 2.0" racist adj 1: based on racial intolerance; "racist remarks" 2: discriminatory especially on the basis of race or religion syn: antiblack, anti-Semitic, anti-Semite(a) n : a person with a prejudiced belief that one race is superior to others syn: racialist So, for me, rascism is a prejudiced belief that one race is superior to others. The other definitions (1) & (2) expand the definition to include bigotry and discrimination, which is not racism. The statists and collectivists want me to see other races as a group. There's a Race A man, so I need to assign certain attributes to him because the state says so - mainly he's disadvantaged. Oh, there's a Race B man, he's advantaged. So, how's this for a twist. The very group of people that claim to be anti-racist are the very ones that believe that one group is superior over others so that it can advance its collectivist policies. Race-based bigotry and discrimination abound everywhere and is really not a problem in a free society. It is only when the racists try to use the state to erase them that causes problems.