Dinesh D'Souza's '83 controversial new book, "The End of Racism" gives a comprehensive discussion that includes a wide assortment of intriguing ideas regarding the nature of racism in modern day America and throughout history.
In an exhaustively researched and clearly laid out presentation, D'Souza traces the historical development of racism to the present day, arguing convincingly that it is rarely a product of ignorance and fear as often charged, but instead the result of a rational, scientific attempt to reconcile observed differences between groups.
D'Souza elaborates on the difference between racism, which is based on a presumption of biological inferiority, and ethnocentrism, which is between cultures, not necessarily racially based and presumes no biological inferiority.
Contrary to popular claims, D'Souza argues that racism is not a universal part of human nature, that it had a clearly marked beginning and thus there is hope for its end.
It is in his consideration of the origin and correct interpretation of racism that D'Souza excels, debunking many of the myths espoused by what he sees as a Civil Rights establishment afraid to admit that racism has largely vanished from American society because it would leave them with no job and no cause to fight for.
Unfortunately some his ideas and refreshing perspectives are bogged down by poor organization and a lack of a coherent thesis.
D'Souza's purported goal in the book is to argue that the enormous decay in the black community in America can not longer be blamed on racism by whites or on lingering effects of slavery, and that the blacks must take responsibility for their community.
But far too much of the book is dedicated to a discussion of cultural relativism, an idea that D'Souza spends considerable time bemoaning but little time rebutting.
Much of the text is a meandering trip through a series of ideas that, while all related to race and racism, give the reader little indication as to the author's goal.
And in the last chapter, with the reader hopeful that D'Souza will attempt to pull together his monumental research effort into some sort of defining statement, he comes out of nowhere with a proposal that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 should be repealed in favor of a system that calls for a completely "color blind" government and a legalization of discrimination in the private sector.
In this culminating chapter D'Souza argues that people do not have a basic right not to be discriminated against. His proposal "means uncompromising color blindness in government hiring and promotions, criminal justice, and the drawing of voting districts. Yet individuals and companies would be allowed to discriminate in private transaction such as renting an apartment or hiring for a job."
D'Souza argues that economic motives would still preclude most discrimination in such a system, and that allowing this private discrimination may actually be better for the African-American job market than strict color-blindness. He writes "the economic cost of selecting the less competent falls on the individual or company making the selection."
Indeed D'Souza's argument for his proposal is strong, and it is an idea that perhaps merits discussion, but he gives it far too brief a treatment and it does not deserve a place as the book's stunning conclusion, as the preceding dozen chapters do not make a case for it.
It is as if this radical proposal was cut and pasted from another work and tacked at the end of what is otherwise a thoroughly researched and very evenhanded work.
Scattered throughout the book are nuggets of brilliance, observations rarely made that inject common sense and historical accuracy back into a debate that is often riddled with emotion and sometimes blatant historical lies.
For instance, D'Souza notes that while almost without exceptions every society in history has had human slavery, only Western civilization actually abolished it voluntarily.
Without belittling the tragedy of American slavery, D'Souza's research reminds the readers that the historical villains and victims are not always as clear cut as some activists would argue.
His discussion of rational discrimination is excellent and will leave readers a little less inclined to tag as racist many acts that are often automatically considered such.
D'Souza discusses the moral dilemma faced by cab drivers who are often accused of racism for refusing to pick up young black men. But from interviews with drivers, many of them black, it becomes clear that the drivers are not at all racist but instead are "amateur statisticians," who know they are putting themselves at considerable danger by picking up young black men.
Can someone really be called racist against blacks, D'Souza argues, if they have no qualms with picking up older black men, or black women? D'Souza answers no, the cab driver is just acting rationally.
D'Souza correctly notes though that this "rational discrimination" is small solace to the law-abiding black man who finds himself unable to hail a cab ride home. While leaving this dilemma unresolved, it is apparent to the reader that the issues involved go far deeper than simple condemnation of the driver for racism caused by irrational "ignoranance and fear" that needs to be eliminated through "education." Indeed, D'Souza notes, it is precisely the cab drivers accurate knowledge of the greatly increased risks in picking up young black men that leads to their behavior.
Perhaps inspired by the great notoriety of "The Bell Curve," D'Souza throws in a chapter entitled "The Content of Our Chromosomes: Race and the IQ Debate." It seems D'Souza is jumping on the bandwagon of this emotional debate when he really has nothing new to add.
He proceeds to lay out, in abbreviated form, the evidence laid out in "The Bell Curve" for the alleged hereditary differences in intelligence between races, but then leaves the issue without endorsing, condemning or intelligently discussing the issue.
With this minor exception though, D'Souza's work truly seems aimed at promoting discussion and bringing together under one title an impressive amount of information. "The End of Racism," should singlehandedly raise the level of discussion of racial issues in America another notch.
"The End of Racism" was provided courtesy of the Dartmouth Bookstore.
