A columnist at Quillette Magazine, a contributor to Citi Journal and a person who has testified before the House of Representatives on the subject of reparations, Coleman Hughes is a writer and public commentator who has been celebrated for his sober analysis of issues relating to race in America. He joins John Wood, Jr. to talk about the statistics illustrating the nuanced reality of police violence towards African-Americans and the ways in which experience may help shape our viewpoint of social realities. You’ll hear some viewpoints here you won’t hear many other places.
Readers Write: Auto industry future, Sack cartoons, regional differences, Phillips’ farewell
12/04/2024 No Comments
I was there and I feel the article did not convey the more positive mood and message. The author disregarded Phillips’ comments about Braver Angels …
7 thoughts on “Race, Policing, Experience and Perspective | Coleman Hughes and John Wood, Jr”
A very informative podcast on race relations in the United States with Coleman Hughes and John Wood. Clearly outlining the steps that need to be taken for understanding and truth to prevail in our society.
-Maria
Thank you gentlemen. This was very well done and much needed. I’m going to recommend it to everyone, especially my students.
I love the way you both model open minded thoughtfulness. The effect is to slow down my own inclination to be triggered.
John Wood, Jr: Regarding your podcast with Coleman Hughes ….
I’m a member of Braver Angels in the north Dallas suburbs; 71 years young and very conservative (highly Red). I remember segregated restrooms, drinking fountains, blacks ride at the back of the bus and not allowed to eat at the lunch counter with whites. We have come a very long way. I remember MLK and the equal opportunity laws of the 1960s; far too many blacks have not taken advantage of these laws. At around 43 minutes into the podcast you mentioned “problems internal to the black community”, but did not really address the root problem, and then around 46 minutes, you asked what can we do … my comments:
The root problem is “fatherlessness” … 76% of black babies born out of wedlock vs 30% of white babies; about 2.5 times as many. A disproportional number of black babies are born into stark poverty where the mother can barely keep food on the table and the kids are raised with “street morals” — gangs, crime, drugs, violence. Examples: Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, St Louis. Solve the problem by using your podium, black ministers and black superstars (Lebron, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, etc) to get young black men and women to commit to fostering (food, shelter, education, discipline, life goals/plans) their children.
Regarding BLM … if this Marxist group were honest, they would change their name to “0.5% BLM, 99.5% don’t”. BLM focuses on about a dozen high profile black deaths per year to create anarchy and undermine our democracy; what about the 2400 blacks murdered by other blacks? 12/2400 = 0.5%. Today is July 5th … what about the black children killed the last 2 weekends in drive-by shootings in Chicago and New York; why don’t they count. I’m much more outraged by the deaths of young innocent blacks than the deaths of habitual criminals like George Floyd (was murdered – the cop needs to pay the price) and Rayshard Brooks. If you keep poking the hornet’s nest, you’r gonna get stung.
John and Coleman, I will pass your discussion on to others. I have always shared your basic mindset, and have had successes in behaving in a way that helped bring practical improvements to complex situations. But in the past few months, I let my attitude slip under the oppression of the slogans and the media. You helped me reset and refocus. Men, I appreciate your leadership. I wish you both the best for your futures.
John
Pretty good podcast. But, here are some suggestions
let your guests speak for at least half of the show
WRT racism, please expand the conversation from two middle class black guys to include an upstanding citizen from a low income neighborhood – this person’s perspective would be invaluable
The information about the lack of sufficient database accounts is valuable. My question is: With the low percentages regarding the outrageous behaviors and riotous acts, why are many businesses and individuals capitulating to the demands of the few and changing their names? Why are the safety and liberty of lives and businesses of the majority not protected from such actions?