New York Times Columnist SLAMS Ibram Kendi's 'Reductionistic' Antiracism Philosophy

Pamela Paul, in her column published on Thursday, also took aim at the academic institutions, businesses, and donors that embraced Kendi's ideas in the wake of George Floyd's murder. Paul argued that these institutions were going against the principles on which they were founded, such as free inquiry, freedom of speech, and a diversity of perspectives.

This latest criticism adds to the recent challenges faced by Kendi, whose reputation has been tarnished following layoffs at his antiracism center at Boston University. Former employees came forward with allegations of exploitation and mismanagement of grant funds.

 WATCH: NICOLE WALLACE AND THE END OF DEMOCRACY

Paul's column begins by addressing Kendi's fall from grace and then delves into an examination of why so many cultural institutions initially embraced his ideas. She notes that both the right and the left viewed Kendi as either the solution or the problem in America's racial reckoning since George Floyd's murder. However, she finds it more interesting that his simplistic ideas gained such prominence.

 YIKES! IS MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE LOSING HER 'GRIP' IN POWER STRUGGLE?

Paul writes, "More interesting is that many major universities, corporations, nonprofit groups, and influential donors thought buying into Kendi's strident, simplistic formula — that racism is the cause of all racial disparities and that anyone who disagrees is a racist — could eradicate racial strife and absolve them of any role they may have played in it."

 WATCH: FETTERMAN CONFRONTED BY A PRO-HAMAS ACTIVIST

October 08, 2023

She criticizes these institutions for adopting a reductionist approach that contradicts the enlightened principles on which they were founded. Paul argues that by supporting Kendi's ideas, other perspectives were excluded.

 TESLA IN TURMOIL: MUSK OUSTS TOP EXECS AND PREPARES FOR MASSIVE LAYOFFS, WHAT'S HAPPENING?

After providing a brief history of Kendi's development of his ideas, Paul suggests that there are better, more nuanced approaches to confronting racism. She references Kendi's book, "How to Be an Antiracist," which served as the basis for much of the antiracist thought during the George Floyd era. Paul highlights Kendi's assertion that exploring reasons other than racism for racial inequities promotes anti-black policies. She notes that Kendi later softened his words after facing criticism.

 PROFESSIONAL "PROTEST CONSULTANT" CAUGHT ON VIDEO STIRRING UP CHAOS AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Paul summarizes Kendi's approach as "two wrongs make a right," where curriculums favor works by Black people over white people and hiring quotas are implemented. She also points out that antiracism requires a commitment to opposing various forms of discrimination, including sexism, homophobia, colorism, ethnocentrism, nativism, and cultural prejudice.

 PUMP AND DUMP: VIRAL "BOCA BASH" VIDEO SPARKS MAJOR INVESTIGATION

The columnist challenges Kendi's ideas, arguing that individuals can advocate for racial neutrality without being considered racist. She asserts that it is not naive or wrong to believe that most Americans are not racist. Paul concludes by advocating for a more nuanced and open-minded conversation about racism and a commitment to diverse visions of addressing it.