"The Three Degrees of Racism in America" (John Rice, The Atlantic, June 21, 2020)

Thesis

To fight racism, we must clearly define racist behaivor and then “increase the cost of racist behaivor”

Third degree racism, where institutions uphold practices that disadvantage POC is the worst one.

3 Degrees of Racism

1. First - overtly prejudiced acts (slurs, biased policing)

2. Second - Opposing or being ignorant to anti-racism efforts, demonizing the activists

3. Third - systems (employers, schools, governments) not unwinding practices that disadvantage people of color

What two excuses do executives come up with as to why systems still exist

1. Pipeline is too small

2. Challenges with performance and retention

The 5 missing elements of a real diversity plan (FQPIC)

1. fact base diagnosis

2. quantifiable goals

3. prioritized investment areas

4. interim progress metrics

5. clear accountability

Practices that employers need to have (A-E-D)

1. acknowledge what third degree racism is

2. execute diversity plans that meet an external standard of rigor

3. deliver equal opportunity to advance

Link to textbook

Rawls’s fair equality of opportunity and the difference principle. Third-degree racism is structural injustice without intent.
Challenges Nozick’s view of meritocracy