Ask the Scholars

I think the question presumes that we as a society cannot distinguish between really malignant forms of racial exclusion and policies that are designed to assist victims of that same exclusion. As Justice Stevens said in the Adarand case, it presumes that we can't tell the difference between a "No Trespassing" sign and a "Welcome" mat. For example, I think that the American public can understand that there is a significant difference between the many policies in trade unions that previou...

Some - such as the American Anthropological Association or the French government - argue that collecting data on race and codifying racial categories abets racism. Others, such as the American Sociological Association, believe that since race has had such real social consequences, it's very important to collect and study information on race - even if it's a folk concept. I happen to agree with the sociologists. Sticking our heads in the sand and not acknowledging the racial categories th...

I don't think it's a coincidence that there's a movement to not consider race as a relevant category at this time in modern history. Especially in light of recent American history, when people of color have made a lot of progress to really push these issues into the forefront and demand recognition of basic civil rights and equal opportunity. I don't think it's accidental that there's this movement to erase the relevance of race. It certainly was relevant in the past. White people didn't...

One of the reasons it becomes very slippery to talk about race is because the concept - what it refers to and defines - changes over time. It often operates as a rationale after the fact for things that are ongoing. So this question is actually about how race has been used historically. One way to make it more concrete is to think about different historical uses at different times and to separate out the different dynamics and consequences that spring from each one. How does race operate...