Yes, we should talk about race differences.
Race differences, like reality, will not disappear if we blink.
Written by Bo Winegard.
Scholars and public intellectuals who write about race differences in intelligence and other socially valued traits are often asked, in tones less plaintive than accusatory, “Why would you openly discuss such an explosive topic.” Even many people who recognize the reality of race differences, who know of the large gaps between blacks and whites in IQ and other traits, contend that candor about race differences is too abrasive, too alienating to be of much use. In fact, honesty about race, they argue, might repel people who would otherwise be sympathetic to conservative positions, shrinking the coalition of anti-woke voters and enfeebling the effort to defeat progressivism.
Although I understand and respect this concern, I think it is misguided. The problem with attacking progressivism without promoting race realism is straightforward. Because race is a conspicuous social fact and because races have different traits and tendencies, race disparities will remain stubborn and salient. Those who notice and discuss disparate racial outcomes are not just mischievous anons, professional racists, or progressive activists. They are normal humans with normal brains, for it takes no special training to notice patterns of variation in racial performance. In fact, it takes special training not to notice. (One might notice that honesty about noticing is heretical these days.)
Thus conservatives will be confronted with a problem: If races are the same, then why do they have such unequal outcomes? Why do blacks obtain lower grades, score lower on tests, commit more crimes (per capita), commit more homicides (per capita) than whites? Why are blacks much more likely to be poor, divorced, or incarcerated than whites? Without an explanation for these disparities, the progressive narrative that white supremacy is to blame will continue to prosper like a bad pizza chain without competitors, for bad pizza might be bad, but no pizza is worse. Thus, if the conservative cannot offer a plausible alternative, many people will lazily accept the white supremacy claim because it is better than nothing. In fact, many people find it coherent and persuasive precisely because elites have forbidden other explanations.
