James A. Lindsay Books

How Activist Scholarship Made Everything about Race, Gender, and Identity―and Why This Harms Everybody

How Activist Scholarship Made Everything about Race, Gender, and Identity―and Why This Harms Everybody

This is a book about ideas--specifically, about the evolution of a certain set of ideas, and how these ideas have come to dominate every important discussion about race, gender, and identity today. The truth, however, is that many of these ideas are recent inventions, are not grounded in scientific fact, and do not account for the sheer complexity of social reality and human experience. In fact, they often deny and even undermine the very principles on which liberal democratic societies are built -- the very ideas that have allowed for unprecedented human progress, lifted standards of living across the world, and given us the opportunity and right to consider and debate these ideas in the first place! Ultimately, therefore, this is a book about what it truly means to have a just and equal society, and how best to get there.

Focusing on the art of dialogue, this book equips readers with strategies to engage in productive conversations about contentious topics like climate change, race, and immigration. It emphasizes the importance of civility and understanding, providing tools to navigate difficult discussions while fostering mutual respect and open-mindedness. By addressing various divisive issues, it aims to enhance communication skills and promote meaningful exchanges, making seemingly impossible conversations possible.

The poetry explores the intimate relationship between language and its surroundings, emphasizing how each syllable resonates with its context. The work evokes a rhythmic quality, akin to a drum, that highlights the connections and associations inherent in words. Through this careful crafting, the poems invite readers to experience the interplay between language and the world, creating a rich tapestry of meaning and sound.