The better question is: Why is it that when republicans hear the word "racism" they immediately think people are talking about them? Are they afraid of what research on racism will show?
As someone who hates the current administration and thinks it's doing untold harm to our future, I'm disappointed by how many people in the sciences chose option two.
I'm not one to argue.
Is "institutional racism" when institutions do treat individuals differently on the basis of race, or when they make sure not to?
I'm used to seeing that term in context of advocating for explicit double standards.
"Institutional" or "structural" racism doesn't just mean racism by one or two people in power. It's the idea that the majority of society demonstrates some kind of racial bias, by whatever means.
Society is made up of people.
One of two things must, logically, be true:
1. A SUBSTANTIAL portion of the people who make up society exhibit some kind of racist behavior, or
2. Structural racism is not a widespread issue
Which one of these two propositions must one believe is likely if one is researching the impact of structural racism? Keep in mind people do not generally don't go looking for things they do not believe exist.
In other words, people don't like other people believing they-en-masse discriminate (even IF they do), so taking actions that only make sense if you think that poorly of the everyman offends them. It's not about what someone wants to be true, it's that investigating implies a level of distrust in society some members of that society find uncivil.
To use a blunt analogy, "why not let me check your underwear to make sure you haven't soiled it? Do you just not want it to be true?".
The Parable of the Polygons is a cute case study that shows that it is possible, in a mathematical sense, to prefer diversity and yet end up segregated: https://ncase.me/polygons/
The whole point of studying institutional and structural racism is that no one needs to be racist per se to have racially discriminatory outcomes. Perhaps a good analogy is the higher mortality rates among left-handed people. We no longer persecute them and drive them out of society or beat them for their sin, and yet, they die earlier due to structural factors.
I agree with you that "people don't like other people believing they-en-masse discriminate." And that's why science in the US is f*(&ed, because somehow everyone takes intellectual inquiry as some sort of personal affront or verdict on individual virtue, and that's the one thing the American cannot abide, the thought that someone else is judging them and finding them wanting.
This is an unfair characterization, and frankly, is baseless political rhetoric. Incredible propaganda job moneyed interests have performed in order to convince the right wing that any research that asks probing questions about equity automatically implies anyone white and conservative is “racist”.
My favorite research that falls into this category concerns the effects of nuclear weapons testing on the lands and livelihoods of indigenous peoples. Clearly, nakedly something that anyone with a decent moral compass would give a shit about, but pulled under the umbrella of DEI because empathy is dead.
So it’s no longer about whether we allocate funding to this or that, as a political compromise, it’s about the culture war.
It's not those on the left who are the baddies. The statement here was about those on the right using "DEI" to institutionalize bigotry. And it was a response to blatant lies like "label half the country racist".
And masking immorality and blatant bigotry as "politics" is a common "conservative" ploy. Of course "the effects of nuclear weapons testing on the lands and livelihoods of indigenous peoples" is prima facie a moral issue--nakedly, as he said.
Elsewhere you claim that
> Richard Muller have come in to disprove the mainstream consensus
It seems that there's nothing you won't lie about.
But enough wallowing in the mud with ____ ... I won't respond further.