Jason Riley creates his livelihood with writing, choosing his words carefully and efficiently.
“There are numerous intellectual issues in this country right now. I believe it’s a result of the rise of progressivism,” he mentioned in a recent interview about his new book.
The book’s title is bound to spark conversations. As a columnist for the Wall Street Journal and a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, he seems to be a bit perplexed by his role as a provocateur.
“It’s frustrating that I have to address topics that many consider controversial. For instance, saying ‘no, police aren’t a bigger issue than criminals’ feels necessary,” he asserts.
“It’s deemed controversial to say, ‘Black children should prioritize studying over playing video games.’ It really would help close the achievement gap,” he adds.
Historical Perspectives
Riley reflects on his upbringing in Buffalo and how it influenced his latest work.
This book could serve as a pivotal text aimed at debunking existing myths.
The inspiration to write stemmed from the 2023 Supreme Court ruling in the case of Fair Admission vs. Harvard, which concluded that the university’s affirmative action program violated the 14th Amendment.
“There was a significant concern about the impact on the black middle class if the court abolished racial preferences, with claims that it would be disastrous,” he explains.
“The assumption that black advancement hinges on special treatment, quotas, and similar policies lacks factual support,” he continues.
“The book was largely a response to the alarmist rhetoric surrounding the trial and its potential repercussions,” he notes.
Looking Back at Policies
Riley shares some statistics:
“Between 1940 and 1960, the black poverty rate dropped from 87% to 47%. This drop occurred well before affirmative action was introduced, during the Jim Crow era.”
“It predates the DEI program,” he states.
“Though progress continued, it did so at a slower rate,” he adds.
The data he cites reflects this trend.
“Various metrics, including educational achievements, poverty reduction, and black employment in middle-class jobs, were improving more rapidly in the years leading up to these aggressive affirmative policies,” he claims.
“When the objective is color-blind equality, we witness greater progress than when pursuing reverse discrimination,” he summarizes.
In a straightforward manner, he introduces another theme: “Culture matters.”
“One challenge for many on the left, particularly those advocating for citizenship, is their reluctance to discuss cultural distinctions and behavioral factors. They also tend to shy away from addressing realistic issues in impoverished black communities,” he states.
“For instance, a black child who dedicates time to studying and raises their hand in class may face ridicule from peers accusing them of ‘acting white,'” he explains.
“There was an unparalleled period in American history, notably in the early to mid-20th century, marked by strong black leadership. This might be why we saw a tangible improvement for many black individuals. Figures like Martin Luther King focused on how black communities conducted themselves, how they communicated, and how youth were encouraged,” he reflects.
“These efforts not only targeted upward mobility but also aimed to reinstate goals that seem to have diminished since the 1960s. Today, it appears many black writers and community leaders do not uphold those standards,” he states.
“This glorification of antisocial behavior—often related to hip-hop culture—shouldn’t distract us from addressing systemic issues like racism,” he adds.
The discussion around the “Myth of Affirmative Action” critiques both liberal policies and contemporary black leadership.
Evolving Legacies
“What was the outcome of the Black Panthers? How does their legacy compare to that of Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, and other influential black leaders of the 1950s and ’60s who achieved concrete results?” Riley asks.
He highlights that black murder rates dropped significantly during the 1940s and 1950s.
“It’s striking, considering this coincided with a significant migration of blacks from rural areas to urban centers, which typically experience higher violence,” he notes.
However, this positive trend did not last. “By the late ’60s, things began to deteriorate, worsening in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ’90s, culminating in murder rates hitting 2,300 a year,” he details.
Riley avoids condemning racism or “systemic racism.”
“Black leadership transitioned from advocating for equal treatment to demanding special considerations, a notable trend beginning with the rise of the black power movement in the late 1960s during King’s time. Groups like the NAACP also shifted focus to increasing political influence,” he explains.
Current Economic Struggles
As for the outcomes, he observes, “In the 1970s, major cities had black mayors, like in Detroit and Cleveland. By 1990, the trend had reached New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago,” he reflects.
Riley appeared disillusioned.
“The aim shifted towards translating political influence into special preferences for black communities, leading to a diversion from developing human capital,” he believes.
Meanwhile, media discussions frequently focus on black issues, often spotlighting thinkers like Ta-Nehisi Coates and Ibram Kendi, who largely ignore discussions on “white racism” while also not fully addressing “behavior issues among black individuals.”
“A racial opinion industry thrives in this country, and the Black Lives Matter movement exemplifies this,” he argues.
“Politicians harness racial grievances to mobilize voters, while activists leverage these issues to garner financial support and maintain relevance,” he concludes.
A Call to Action
Riley’s book serves not only as a historical account but a rallying cry for African Americans.
“The Black Lives Matter movement often promotes a dangerous narrative. Many participants in the demonstrations misunderstand the realities facing Black America,” he emphasizes.
“They were misled to think George Floyd represented a typical black individual. In reality, he was a career criminal under the influence of drugs when he died resisting arrest,” Riley concludes.
“The majority of black individuals are neither drug addicts nor career criminals, nor do they resist arrest,” he asserts.
In his book, he optimistically writes, “Black history reveals unsettling truths for those claiming that dismantling ‘systemic racism’ is essential for Black progress, especially regarding what people of color have accomplished despite great adversity.”
