Integration and Reaction

Authors

Ronald R. Sundstrom, University of San FranciscoFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 5-23-2023

Abstract

D. C. Matthew argues that although integration offers blacks social and economic benefits, it also creates the conditions for phenotypic devaluation that leads to harm against black self-worth and servile behaviour. Therefore, he advises against integration because the resulting self-worth harms outweigh the benefits of integration. I argue that Matthew’s cost-benefit calculation against integration lacks the requisite evidence, and amounts to a luxury belief that will result in more harm. Moreover, his interpretation of behaviour — which he construes as being indicative of a lack of self-worth — is unfounded. Further, his cost-benefit calculation results in socially reactionary sexual policing and ideological purity tests.

Comments

Originally published in Open Access:

DOI

10.1017/S0012217322000075

Recommended Citation

Sundstrom, Ronald R., "Integration and Reaction" (2023). Philosophy. 71.
https://repository.usfca.edu/phil/71