1/ If one wants to counter the premise of racism in the US, a good strategy to not deny the charge directly. It is far more effective to point out the absurdities of the "movement" protesting. In this way, the discussion moves from the real issue to
2/ trivial issues like changing "master bedroom" to "primary bedroom" and dozens of other inane issues and topics that are barely window dressing for peering into the issue. This then becomes a way for status quo folks to shift from denying racism to absurdities.
3/ This happened in apartheid South Africa...with the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Vietnam, etc. Name most topics. Diverting attention serves a real purpose. "If you don't like what's being said, change the conversation." Don Draper
4/ The father of PR, Bernays, changed the conversation from non-intervention/isolationist America to getting us into WW1 by implanting the image of the "Hun bayoneting helpless babies". (this was replayed regarding Iraqis throwing babies out of incubators)
5/ Once you understand the principles of advertising and persuasion, you see the how BS permeates across ALL DOMAINS. Masks? Issue of effectiveness and social responsibility gets diverted to "freedom". Selling soap or political program is essentially the same process.
6/ But somehow when the "conversation is changed" often goes unnoticed, especially so with emotionally filled politics. The underlying principle/issue gets subsumed in a sea of trivial side issues.
7/For my friends reading please note. I do not use scientific rigor as a BS buster. I lack the necessary tools for that. But anyone can be a BS busters by paying attention to WHO changes the conversation& WHEN it changes. Changing the conversation is easier than addressing racism
