In ‘What is Racial Domination’, Desmond and Emirbayer outline five fallacies about racism. Which fallacy about racism claims that U.S. ?history is inconsequential?
a. legalistic fallacy
b. fixed fallacy
c. tokenistic fallacy
d, ahistorical fallacy
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is d. ahistorical fallacy.
The ahistorical fallacy is one of the fallacies outlined by Desmond and Emirbayer in “What is Racial Domination.” This fallacy refers to the belief that racism is only a present-day issue and that the history of racial inequality, including the legacy of slavery, segregation, and other forms of systemic oppression, is irrelevant to current racial dynamics. Those who subscribe to this fallacy often argue that the past has no bearing on the present and that contemporary racial inequalities are the result of current actions or attitudes alone, rather than a continuation of historical racial domination.
The ahistorical fallacy ignores the historical context of racism, which is essential to understanding how racial hierarchies have been constructed and maintained over time. This perspective fails to acknowledge how centuries of racialized practices, policies, and ideologies have shaped the current social, economic, and political systems. It disregards the enduring effects of slavery, colonialism, the Civil Rights Movement, and other key moments in history that have contributed to the racial disparities that persist today.
By dismissing the significance of history, this fallacy perpetuates the idea that racism is an isolated or individual issue, rather than a structural and institutional problem. In turn, it makes it harder to address the root causes of racial inequality and prevents a comprehensive understanding of how racism operates across generations. To challenge the ahistorical fallacy, it is essential to engage with historical analysis and recognize that the legacy of racial oppression continues to influence contemporary experiences of racism, discrimination, and social inequality.
In summary, the ahistorical fallacy promotes a narrow, present-focused view of racism that fails to account for the deep historical roots of racial domination and inequality.