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Through the practice of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) in my personal and professional life, I value the quest for truth to understand the nature of reality. This intellectual pursuit involves thinking that is rational—based in accordance with both logic and reason.
That which is considered logical adheres to a specific form. Although a proposal may be logical, it may not be reasonable. To illustrate this point, consider the following syllogism associated with the rhetoric of Robin DiAngelo which I addressed in a blogpost entitled Kafka Trap:
Major premise: All white people who deny being prejudiced against non-whites are racist.
Minor premise: John Doe is a white person who denies being prejudiced against non-whites.
Conclusion: Therefore, John Does is racist.
Although this syllogism follows logical form, it’s based on faulty premises and is therefore unreasonable. Namely, it makes use of overgeneralization—the act of drawing conclusions which are too broad or based on insufficient information.
According to the American Psychological Association, overgeneralization is also defined as “a cognitive distortion in which an individual views a single event as an invariable rule, so that, for example, failure at accomplishing one task will predict an endless pattern of defeat in all tasks.”
In REBT, such broad generalities which are often used to negatively rate oneself, others, and life fall into the category of a major irrational belief representing global evaluation. Thus, claiming that a white person is racist for denying his alleged prejudice is an irrational claim.
Remarkably, there are a significant number of presumably intelligent individuals who have fallen for the irrational rhetoric espoused by DiAngelo and her ilk. Yours truly is one such person.
In a blogpost entitled Human Fallibility, I stated, “Having been formally educated in social justice praxis, I even considered myself a “social justice warrior” (SJW),” and, “It was during the time while undergoing my social work education that I decided to display my faith for the cause in the form of a tattoo.”
On the back of my right calf is a tattoo of a raised fist, similar to the one in the photo above. Even at a time when I’d already studied and informally practiced REBT, I allowed myself to be indoctrinated by the irrational trappings of SJW literature, speeches, and videos.
Still, there’s no shame in the fact that I uncritically consumed pseudo-intellectual content and devoted myself to a cause that I irrationally believed was of a morally and ethically good nature. After all, even other REBT practitioners were also ostensibly duped in this regard.
In 2021, when undergoing formal training for REBT with the Albert Ellis Institute (AEI), I discovered an anti-racism message on the website of the Institute that stated:
The Albert Ellis Institute condemns and will not tolerate or support racism in any form. We will continue to promote emotional and behavioral health with an increased awareness and focus on the impact of decades of oppression.
One wonders what level of unconditional acceptance is advocated by AEI when openly assuming an intolerant position regarding racism—a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities, and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.
Unlike AEI – the official worldwide training epicenter for REBT practitioners – Hollings Therapy, LLC advocates disputation, though not intolerance, of racist perspectives. In any case, I understand the anti-racist message of AEI.
Regarding this matter, one source states, “Anti-racism encompasses a range of ideas and political actions which are meant to counter racial prejudice, systemic racism, and the oppression of specific racial groups,” and I don’t hold myself forward as an ant-racist. Besides, it’s an irrational ideology.
To understand my claim, consider what Ibram X. Kendi once reportedly proposed, “I don’t think people realize that when they self-identify as ‘not racist’, they’re essentially identifying in the same way as white supremacists.” Thus, anti-racist and not merely “not racist” is the prescription. In a blogpost entitled Not Even Wrong, I addressed this matter thusly:
Antiracist palaver uses the trappings of a double bind—a situation in which a person is confronted with two irreconcilable demands or a choice between two undesirable courses of action.
Regarding this trick, one source states:
It is bad psychology to tell people who do not believe that they are racist — who may even actively despise racism — that there is nothing they can do to stop themselves from being racist — and then ask them to help you. It is even less helpful to tell them that even their own good intentions are proof of their latent racism. Worst of all is to set up double-binds, like telling them that if they notice race it is because they are racist, but if they don’t notice race it’s because their privilege affords them the luxury of not noticing race, which is racist.
I eventually disputed my irrational beliefs about SJW narratives and I arrived at a point whereby I can tolerate and accept perspectives with which I disagree. As such, I reject the viewpoints of those who wrap themselves in the cloak of pseudo-intellectualism. Per one source:
Intellectualism is the mental perspective that emphasizes the use, development, and exercise of the intellect, and is identified with the life of the mind of the intellectual. In the field of philosophy, the term intellectualism indicates one of two ways of critically thinking about the character of the world:
(i) rationalism, which is knowledge derived solely from reason; and (ii) empiricism, which is knowledge derived solely from sense experience. Each intellectual approach attempts to eliminate fallacies that ignore, mistake, or distort evidence about “what ought to be” instead of “what is” the character of the world.
Per my interpretation of the work related to DiAngelo, Kendi, and others of similar perspectives, intellectualism is set aside and instead replaced with skintellectualism—a form of racial, ethnic, cultural, and social focus that is predicated on narratives of victimhood. As such, it’s an irrational ideological endeavor.
Herein, I’m specifically criticizing beliefs and perspectives, though I don’t intend on disparaging people or entities. After all, each and every human being is fallible by nature. Ergo, there’s no need for judgement of the person, though disputation of beliefs and interpretations is fair game.
In any case, I was reminded of skintellectualism when recently watching the satirical documentary comedy film Am I Racist? which stars political commentator Matt Walsh. I didn’t appreciate the film as much as I enjoyed Walsh’s documentary What Is a Woman?
Then again, the former was a comedy while the latter wasn’t. At any rate, the perceived intention of Am I Racist? was to mock diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Customarily, the “accessibility” portion of the acronym was abandoned, as DEI was the sole focus of the film.
In one scene, Walsh receives a fake tattoo of the raised fist (photo above) that I have featured on my calf. Admittedly, I laughed at the depiction of an anti-racist adherent. I imagine that when people observe my tattoo, some of them also laugh in a similar fashion. I’m cool with that.
In another scene, Walsh attends a processing group by a self-identified black individual whose skin is only slightly darker than my biracial appearance. This person ostensibly used psychotherapeutic techniques to indoctrinate presumably white and Jewish people about their perceived privilege.
That scene reminded me of my social work graduate program during which predominately white women complained to university staff about a perceived threat to their safety when I openly challenged DEIA and SJW rhetoric, as well as having put to the test their alleged tolerance for others of a dissimilar nature then them. I was almost kicked out of the program as a result.
In several other scenes, Walsh continually evokes a familiar expression in regard to “doing the work.” In the field of behavioral health, this saying is often used to indicate the necessity for challenging effort required toward self-change. I appreciate the mockery from Walsh.
Ultimately, in one pivotal scene of the film, Walsh sits down for a discussion with DiAngelo. Using her apparent skintellectualism tactics against her, Walsh was able to show the audience how illogical and unreasonable an anti-racist perspective actually is.
To her credit, DiAngelo lived according to her credo. Presumably, she truly believes in the message she’s peddling to the world. It’s one thing to talk the talk, though she apparently walks the walk of victimhood. Although I disagree with her ideology, I appreciate her commitment.
Skintellectualism is nothing about which to be ashamed. People maintain different thoughts, beliefs, ideas, and values. While one may argue that some ideologies produce harmful outcomes, I advocate the free expression of ideas. Thus, I’m no more anti-idea than I am anti-racist.
Even with my mockery, rejection, and continued critique of feminist ideology, I appreciate that I live in a nation wherein the free exchange of ideas is still (somewhat) honored. Thus, and while I didn’t fully appreciate his recent film, I’m glad that Walsh was able to mock skintellectualism.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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