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Arctlc t1_iqshcq2 wrote

Reply to comment by Jacques_Ellul in The U.S. & the Holocaust, Episode 1: “The Golden Door” (2022) A xenophobic backlash prompts Congress to restrict immigration. Hitler and the Nazis persecute German Jews, forcing many to seek refuge. FDR is concerned by the growing crisis but is unable to coordinate a response. [02:08:43] by s_y_s_t_e_m_i_c_

“The US is the most deeply racist society in world history.” There’s no good reason to interject your biased conjecture in the middle of your historical analysis. I was onboard until you decided to write that; it shows a serious lack of knowledge regarding other nations history while simultaneously making you appear entirely amerocentric.

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Jacques_Ellul t1_iqso1co wrote

Also, the swift backlash against expressing such ideas and the emotional reactions they elicit is at least antidotal evidence in itself. Genuine errors and completely incorrect ideas rarely have the power to even elicit words of correction. If I held a parade proclaiming 2+2=3 it would get no serious consideration, nor deserve none.

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Jacques_Ellul t1_iqshm19 wrote

That's fair, I removed it. I would maintain that's its accurate nonetheless. If I had taken more time, I'd probably have reworded it as 'the most powerful, systematic, and enduring racist society in world history.' Sentiments don't easily translate into quantifiable research variables and it was sloppy to include them.

I have in mind overt public displays of horror inflicted on individuals in countries outside the US; these are often implicitly regarded as evidence of their power but the opposite is the case. Similar to public execution and torture in European feudalism was always a sign of a weak state. My impression is that you might already be familiar with this line of reasoning but for those who have not, such claims will appear to take off from the planet.

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