Shelby Steele

Steele gives an eloquent account of his own conversion to conservatism and explains how the various movements in the 60s undermined faith in core American principles such as personal responsibility, merit, and equality of opportunity. He then explains why the current progressivism, with its emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, will ultimately fail to uplift marginalized people.

His reasoning is based on personal experience and commitment to principles. While I (as a classical liberal) found it persuasive, some may see the need for supporting data or historical examples. The book offers no solutions to our divide and left me feeling pessimistic for the future. Though it reaffirmed my belief in equality and merit, I also see why this is likely to be a failed proposition for people that were long disenfranchised and must overcome significant disadvantage.… (meer)

I'm not really sure what to say. Steele's writing is sharp and full of paragraphs that need to be picked apart. More so than with any other book I have read since last year, I have felt the privilege and the shame that comes with the past---and my identity--- while reading this book.

And yet, I wanted more. More citations. I want the stats on his claim regarding abortion statistics(when it is harder to get and less legal, after all, how do we measure?) A link to that interview with Baldwin(why read the text when you can watch it?).

I want a dialogue. Between Steele, Kendi, Sowell, Coates, Riley, Alexander, Carol Swain, and Austin Channing Brown. I entered this conversation to learn. Education and experience, especially this year, has taught me to do more listening to, and less discounting of expressed observations different than mine. I'd even settle for the old repeating column in the opinion section of the newspaper. Any way I can get it, that is my current dream. But I shall probably have to make do with books.… (meer)