Everything is Racist, Including You

Digital Blackface

In a recent discussion, Ben Shapiro critiques the concept of digital blackface, which involves using memes of black individuals by non-black people. He argues that labeling such actions as racist is an overreach, as the humor in memes stems from the emotions they convey, not the race of the individuals depicted. Shapiro questions why innocuous behaviors are increasingly labeled as racist, suggesting that society is desperate for crises to drive change 1.

Digital blackface is a practice where white people co-opt online expressions of black imagery, slang, catchphrases, or culture to convey comic relief or express emotions.

--- Ben Shapiro

He further contends that the demand for racist incidents in media exceeds the actual supply, leading to exaggerated narratives 2.

   

Media and Racism

Shapiro explores the media's role in perpetuating narratives of racism, arguing that true racism is rare in American society today. He suggests that the media's high demand for stories of racism leads to the creation of exaggerated or false narratives. This, he believes, is driven by a need to maintain a narrative of systemic injustice to justify societal changes 3.

We have a serious shortage. The supply lines are broken on racism. There's just apparently not enough for it.

--- Ben Shapiro

Shapiro asserts that Americans are generally not racist, and the portrayal of systemic racism often lacks substantial evidence 4.