John McWhorter & Jason Riley – The Affirmative Action Myth
May 16, 2025
47 min
350 of 437

May 16, 2025
John McWhorter & Jason Riley – The Affirmative Action Myth
0:00 / 47:14
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The Glenn Show Episodes Around May 16, 2025
Episode 350 of 437 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
47:14This episodeJohn McWhorter & Jason Riley – The Affirmative Action Myth
Summary
<p>Support The Glenn Show at https://glennloury.substack.com</p><p><strong>Video Links</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu49u9FTGFQ" target="_blank">0:00</a> Intro</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu49u9FTGFQ&t=60s" target="_blank">1:00</a> What is the “affirmative action myth”?</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu49u9FTGFQ&t=482s" target="_blank">8:02</a> Black progress before and after affirmative action</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu49u9FTGFQ&t=701s" target="_blank">11:41</a> Ground News ad</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu49u9FTGFQ&t=809s" target="_blank">13:29</a> How far does Jason’s critique of affirmative action extend?</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu49u9FTGFQ&t=1023s" target="_blank">17:03</a> Contesting The Shape of the River</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu49u9FTGFQ&t=1597s" target="_blank">26:37</a> Respectability, responsibility, and upward mobility</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu49u9FTGFQ&t=1960s" target="_blank">32:40</a> Is Jason blaming the victims?</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu49u9FTGFQ&t=2154s" target="_blank">35:54</a> Jason: No one’s buying the reparations argument</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu49u9FTGFQ&t=2606s" target="_blank">43:26</a> How do figures like Ibram X. Kendi and Nikole Hannah-Jones end up at the center of progressive discourse?</p><p>Recorded May 7, 2025</p><p><strong>Links and Readings</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Affirmative-Action-Myth-Preferences-Succeed/dp/1541604555/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2A6A3TKFRYMO3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N82rXHXpZxUH3lpF_j8f8sxiTfgo3sE8myhQM0kKoHAoFEY5-ZOhDy8p-cKbe4VP3GldJlg-lwtN-vWAtg681jS1WYUSTtZf7GGbAGP6wqFHLS0E_lLalGjL7nr9sqiz6Oue53rhGte2xOtO_uWkVR5saFUTnMWJjpEZP7un6iB6LvAlGgWcKdWzkNLdBqD-ffGO1JYO1sW-s4FXAKYLdiBwjByiLXwE4KEIphkA8nA.yc843ldkxZ-cLplagTBFlrAvxzFgVbXmg5Vgy9FsMHY&dib_tag=se&keywords=jason+riley&qid=1746934249&sprefix=jason+riley%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Jason’s new book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Affirmative-Action-Myth-Preferences-Succeed/dp/1541604555/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2A6A3TKFRYMO3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N82rXHXpZxUH3lpF_j8f8sxiTfgo3sE8myhQM0kKoHAoFEY5-ZOhDy8p-cKbe4VP3GldJlg-lwtN-vWAtg681jS1WYUSTtZf7GGbAGP6wqFHLS0E_lLalGjL7nr9sqiz6Oue53rhGte2xOtO_uWkVR5saFUTnMWJjpEZP7un6iB6LvAlGgWcKdWzkNLdBqD-ffGO1JYO1sW-s4FXAKYLdiBwjByiLXwE4KEIphkA8nA.yc843ldkxZ-cLplagTBFlrAvxzFgVbXmg5Vgy9FsMHY&dib_tag=se&keywords=jason+riley&qid=1746934249&sprefix=jason+riley%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>The Affirmative Action Myth: Why Blacks Don’t Need Racial Preferences to Succeed</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Please-Stop-Helping-Us-Liberals/dp/1594038414/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2A4IJKUC2I23W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.srkv-uuL6-PyO9zsV1aGNMDWJY2s7MDXiCyxK6yc8hIl4JmWSdSiwCf5fWcMUhze.gyPcjpGEevgUvaPCTV3w0xwElBg-IKeiRQWCVBPDhcw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Please+Stop+Helping+Us&qid=1747019235&sprefix=please+stop+helping+us%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Jason’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Please-Stop-Helping-Us-Liberals/dp/1594038414/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2A4IJKUC2I23W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.srkv-uuL6-PyO9zsV1aGNMDWJY2s7MDXiCyxK6yc8hIl4JmWSdSiwCf5fWcMUhze.gyPcjpGEevgUvaPCTV3w0xwElBg-IKeiRQWCVBPDhcw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Please+Stop+Helping+Us&qid=1747019235&sprefix=please+stop+helping+us%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>Please Stop Helping Us: How Liberals Make It Harder for Blacks to Succeed</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/False-Black-Power-Threats-Freedom/dp/1599475189/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CNXDBZF5H4PO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1XuKpSEB64zFZUi9Ao2IJk4brqykZ80Cqr1A0CiYJ8blvWMWqi980-C6s9zYrcq__3zMyswq2_T3KIhYiQtSVDw5ZFOsxklCgWDM_pVfWUeXAo-xuKYXvCqiCaQtnGDNkiOFzZUQ2XnvNoSNNxZ6QuJs9az_KYkX6SC-WOhcDVSUDbug315z6mYhpUiE2UFYjd9XxZ1oasIJubwRM_nMogV2DJA5tBWGnN10MSyhHLg.Vo3IPhRBg7C_C5oFBdXFxPrjIZVg0UGoXCLuQ4byO8E&dib_tag=se&keywords=False+Black+Power&qid=1747019264&sprefix=false+black+power%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Jason’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/False-Black-Power-Threats-Freedom/dp/1599475189/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CNXDBZF5H4PO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1XuKpSEB64zFZUi9Ao2IJk4brqykZ80Cqr1A0CiYJ8blvWMWqi980-C6s9zYrcq__3zMyswq2_T3KIhYiQtSVDw5ZFOsxklCgWDM_pVfWUeXAo-xuKYXvCqiCaQtnGDNkiOFzZUQ2XnvNoSNNxZ6QuJs9az_KYkX6SC-WOhcDVSUDbug315z6mYhpUiE2UFYjd9XxZ1oasIJubwRM_nMogV2DJA5tBWGnN10MSyhHLg.Vo3IPhRBg7C_C5oFBdXFxPrjIZVg0UGoXCLuQ4byO8E&dib_tag=se&keywords=False+Black+Power&qid=1747019264&sprefix=false+black+power%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>False Black Power</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Maverick-Biography-Thomas-Jason-Riley/dp/1541619684/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PFUTXZADU9ZV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5Xt6OQAPJ3thzU7qJeJhsPHCJb0AqK26Q34LGZzlMQQ.cUY_qacPn-U12udRkn4kUeBhqKrxsKpk3Md1LIxGF00&dib_tag=se&keywords=Maverick%3A+A+Biography+of+Thomas+Sowell&qid=1747019296&sprefix=maverick+a+biography+of+thomas+sowell%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Jason’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Maverick-Biography-Thomas-Jason-Riley/dp/1541619684/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PFUTXZADU9ZV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5Xt6OQAPJ3thzU7qJeJhsPHCJb0AqK26Q34LGZzlMQQ.cUY_qacPn-U12udRkn4kUeBhqKrxsKpk3Md1LIxGF00&dib_tag=se&keywords=Maverick%3A+A+Biography+of+Thomas+Sowell&qid=1747019296&sprefix=maverick+a+biography+of+thomas+sowell%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>Maverick: A Biography of Thomas Sowell</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shape-River-Consequences-Considering-Anniversary/dp/0691182485/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2TDVDP672NE9G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8j4uxMKJfNQpvgA765NviAOPzCZC7TEl1bUvp4qD-u5zhuR3vU-I_caPRI8KxQjYF0YlhECQ1oMocVJSDiNFiAmzIATYniXx9OwraWfr9WeRovX4UOLkknGQYThtpypa2dTE0lT5InTS7FHG1ru2Iiaa6aib3ZTvgrEWe2qrEVnfSK55Gw45YubXYbKEtDMzDjI5xTNerWPo2alO2Ti08DgFbJGfLwZIlCAZU0V3CEQ.dr-ZsLZWAmkeVid_ZZO_U3kmzmYMSBJVSsGyrWo240U&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Shape+of+the+River&qid=1747019311&sprefix=maverick+a+biography+of+thomas+sowell%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Derek Bok and William G. Bowen’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shape-River-Consequences-Considering-Anniversary/dp/0691182485/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2TDVDP672NE9G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8j4uxMKJfNQpvgA765NviAOPzCZC7TEl1bUvp4qD-u5zhuR3vU-I_caPRI8KxQjYF0YlhECQ1oMocVJSDiNFiAmzIATYniXx9OwraWfr9WeRovX4UOLkknGQYThtpypa2dTE0lT5InTS7FHG1ru2Iiaa6aib3ZTvgrEWe2qrEVnfSK55Gw45YubXYbKEtDMzDjI5xTNerWPo2alO2Ti08DgFbJGfLwZIlCAZU0V3CEQ.dr-ZsLZWAmkeVid_ZZO_U3kmzmYMSBJVSsGyrWo240U&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Shape+of+the+River&qid=1747019311&sprefix=maverick+a+biography+of+thomas+sowell%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>The Shape of the River: Long Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Two-Parent-Privilege-Americans-Stopped-Getting/dp/022684160X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5OVIZY3WLLHA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dz5a4x6-iU2iMt7uHM2-GFO4f0nITcj6exfBYMcPdtovmmUJ4w1T8JjHlQRRUbCT.PR__Vy6rYQpjOymp53pgeX9zCkr__zeiSaBgSSMQP40&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Two-Parent+Privilege&qid=1747019396&sprefix=the+two-parent+privilege%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Melissa Kearney’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Two-Parent-Privilege-Americans-Stopped-Getting/dp/022684160X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5OVIZY3WLLHA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dz5a4x6-iU2iMt7uHM2-GFO4f0nITcj6exfBYMcPdtovmmUJ4w1T8JjHlQRRUbCT.PR__Vy6rYQpjOymp53pgeX9zCkr__zeiSaBgSSMQP40&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Two-Parent+Privilege&qid=1747019396&sprefix=the+two-parent+privilege%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-IGtTLDrUKRlI3T_TjA3EMXLeMyW4Iwm" target="_blank">An </a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-IGtTLDrUKRlI3T_TjA3EMXLeMyW4Iwm" target="_blank"><em>Amos & Andy</em></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-IGtTLDrUKRlI3T_TjA3EMXLeMyW4Iwm" target="_blank"> YouTube playlist</a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Pc-J9ofgk" target="_blank"><em>Julia </em></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Pc-J9ofgk" target="_blank">pilot episode</a></p><p><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/" target="_blank">Ta-Nehisi Coates’s </a><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/" target="_blank"><em>Atlantic</em></a><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/" target="_blank"> essay, “The Case for Reparations”</a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Antiracist-Ibram-Kendi/dp/0525509305/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UN3IRJF8TDGI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.h9PqD6UpWiYNFlw2L59LzGznj7ElxOdop16H9IP31GJ2kH7vBe3Et57Hqb02R5n6mJoR1YAJPXlt1-KhvHWymXlOUCCZvuGlmCbYizNZWCQ2bqw3HHmdUh5E8W0noKI7aGSTMj7Lo_je6jsb2HylOvPjCu7EVmD7_QcEP7vG0fZholMOvQvehzpywPdsc6H0lAuMrWP9Y1_Ql6sgrKLkbCnyZ-cuPZoNi5cnOynkM0s.k_Xj6EEqflcnx12x3WjY0LbVfZmFEgg8IVXC2RlkOb4&dib_tag=se&keywords=How+to+Be+an+Antiracist&qid=1747019552&sprefix=the+two-parent+privilege%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Ibram X. Kendi’s book, </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Antiracist-Ibram-Kendi/dp/0525509305/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UN3IRJF8TDGI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.h9PqD6UpWiYNFlw2L59LzGznj7ElxOdop16H9IP31GJ2kH7vBe3Et57Hqb02R5n6mJoR1YAJPXlt1-KhvHWymXlOUCCZvuGlmCbYizNZWCQ2bqw3HHmdUh5E8W0noKI7aGSTMj7Lo_je6jsb2HylOvPjCu7EVmD7_QcEP7vG0fZholMOvQvehzpywPdsc6H0lAuMrWP9Y1_Ql6sgrKLkbCnyZ-cuPZoNi5cnOynkM0s.k_Xj6EEqflcnx12x3WjY0LbVfZmFEgg8IVXC2RlkOb4&dib_tag=se&keywords=How+to+Be+an+Antiracist&qid=1747019552&sprefix=the+two-parent+privilege%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>How to Be an Antiracist</em></a></p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html" target="_blank">The NYT’s 1619 Project</a></p><p><a href="https://woodsoncenter.org/how-we-help/1776-unites/" target="_blank">The Woodson Center’s 1776 Unites Project</a></p> <br /><br />This is a public episode. 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