Philosophy, Politics and Race: The Search For The One In The Many by Eric Dejardin
The term “philosophy” is often loosely associated with the notion of the “paradoxical,” so I thought it apposite to begin an article that deals with the central theme of Western philosophy, and with its connection to politics and race, with a robust paradox indeed, to wit “There’s nothing like politics to bring us together.”
Before you dismiss me as a crank, and as someone who is perhaps as unaware of the actual state of politics in America as is humanly possible, I hope you’ll give me an opportunity to make my case. It rests on the postulate that underlies the history of Western philosophy, namely that there is some fundamental unity in difference.
Philosophy began when people started to ask if the enormous -- and evident -- diversity of the world (both external and internal) might be explained in terms of something simpler, and when they started to attempt to answer this question rationally. Is there some “one” principle or kind of “stuff” (urstoff) behind the “many” objects of experience? If so, what is it? And if the answer is such-and-such, how do we know it? In other words, is the diversity of the world merely apparent, and could it possibly be the case that there’s some sort of unifying principle or substance that ties it all together?
This question has obvious applications in many areas other than philosophy. In the sciences, physicists attempt to explain the four forces of nature in terms of a single, unified force. In our daily lives, we attempt to understand the diverse actions of those we interact with in terms of what is commonly called “folk psychology,” which is to say we focus on their beliefs. But the concept of the one in the many isn’t limited to such explanatory schemes; it seems to me that we can use it to gain a different, and often more encouraging perspective on troubling and potentially divisive ideas and activities as well.
Politics is the bloodiest sport in the world; this is a truism, and with good reason: it’s quite true. In the United States today, the blood is (usually) metaphorical, of course, but that doesn’t in any way diminish the utterly vicious nature of American politics: bodies heal faster than reputations. But I think that we can see, behind all the mudslinging, hypocrisy and cynicism, a cause for optimism.
Even in politics, where infinitesimal differences are treated as astronomical, there are to be found many unifying principles. Everyone wants justice, for example. No politician promises more injustice (though some in fact deliver just that). And it seems to me that most would agree with the general elements of justice (both procedural and substantive) as we conceive it in the United States. The question that divides us is, “How do we best achieve justice?” I’d much prefer a debate about “how” best to ensure that justice is done to one about “whether” justice should be done. The fact that we all agree that the good society is necessarily a just one -- though we may disagree somewhat about precisely what the necessary and sufficient conditions of justice are, and disagree a bit more about how to achieve it -- seems to me to evince a profound unity that supersedes the contingent, local and historically determined (and, it must be said, often petty) disagreements that are symptomatic of our electoral processes.
I think that we can press this a bit further, and reach a theme that many of us have noticed pervades the content of this very website, and which seems to be at the heart of all that Frank writes. Why, to continue with the motif I’ve worked out above, can we find unity in the diversity of politics? The answer is that politics is fundamentally a human pursuit, and that behind the multifarious cultures and patently diverse expressions of the many ways to be human, we can glimpse certain foundational truths. For example, no society has ever existed that held cowardice to be a virtue and courage to be a vice. No society has ever existed that praised ignorance over knowledge (though they may have been mistaken both about what they thought they knew and about what they judged it important to know). Examples such as these could be multiplied many times over. The point is that “being human,” though capable of sundry expressions, is at the same time necessarily an expression of some underlying unity, viz. what it is that allows us all to be categorized as “human beings” in the first place. Precisely what that is isn’t at all easy to work out; perhaps its least controversial characteristic is the search for the essential attributes of “the human” itself.
One attribute (or quality, or perspective) that is too often focused on in this search is that of “race.” But, as I think Frank makes clear time and time again, it’s pretty easy to conclude that “race” does no work here whatsoever. Why should it? Whether you believe race to be fundamentally genetic or memetic -- or both -- it’s still the case that what we’re distinguishing (whether justifiably or not) are human beings. Once you admit that, you concede the essential point of unity in diversity, and are then prepared to take part in the much more important -- and much more interesting! -- search for the source of our unity as human beings.
All of this may sound a bit trite, and if all you mean by that is “nothing new” or “a bit obvious,” then I’d of course agree. But I’d be quick to add that one of the most curious, prevalent -- and obvious! -- of human traits is the tendency to ignore or avoid venerable and obvious truths. I’d also say that while the point is trite, the activity to which it points -- that is, the search I’ve been referring to -- is anything but.
I think that such a search is ultimately what motivates websites like this one. In that sense, we’re all participating in the essentially human activity of trying to come to grips with ourselves, both as individuals embedded in history and society, and as individuals who constitute history and society. Who would’ve thought that a cursory reflection on realpolitik could lead one to such a sublime conclusion?
AsiansOfMixedRace.com Interview Kiku Collins
She has been on stage with Michael Bolton and Beyonce. Her new album, "Here With Me" is a flugelhorn instrumental delight. She is a Ninja Princess and a mother. She is the multi-talented Kiku Collins.
AMR.com: Mel Broiles, who is he and what does he mean to you?
KC: Mel was the principal trumpet at the Metropolitan Opera here in NYC for many years, and a very influential teacher of mine.
AMR.com: Was it always your aspiration to be a trumpet player?
KC: Since I had started high school I knew it was what I was best at, and what I enjoyed doing.
AMR.com: Who were some of your favorites trumpet players growing up?
KC: I always enjoyed Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Maurice Andre, Bill Chase, Randy Brecker, and so many more!
AMR.com: “Here With Me” has received great reviews and is definitely a classic! How important was it for you to release this album?
KC: For years, people asked why I didn't have a solo cd or project. I didn't record or release this for them, but I felt it was finally a good time in my life to create my record. I wanted to create a simple block of music that played like a vocal album, without a lot of complicated pieces that only musicians seem to understand.
AMR.com: Is there additional pressure to raise the bar and to be better than your male counterparts?
KC: Not as much as when I was growing up. It seems more women/girls are playing more "male dominated" instruments these days. It's really inspirational to me to hear from young girls who are playing the trumpet, and I'm honored to be a role model.
AMR.com: How did a “Jersey Girl” get the opportunity to tour with Michael Bolton?
KC: I fit the job description and the gig fit me!
AMR.com: Can you talk about your experience working with Beyonce?
KC: It was great, it was a huge opportunity and an amazing learning experience.
AMR.com: Is there any one in particular you would like to collaborate with?
KC: Not really, I admire so many musicians and styles of music. I like working with people who enjoy what they do, respect the musicians they hire, and truly enjoy their art.
AMR.com: What is Fire Island, The Live Show about?
KC: It's a multimedia play that will run in April in NYC.
AMR.com: Of all the instruments you play, which one is your favorite?
KC: Trumpet is what I play mostly, and I do enjoy it a lot. I'm not sure one can have a favorite though - that would be like having a favorite child!
AMR.com: You are a versatile artist but if you were given only one choice of music to play, what is it?
KC: Pop.
AMR.com: Any chance of you passing the torch to your daughter?
KC: Only if she wants it. She is musical, and is starting to read music and loves to play the piano and drums. She's also toyed with trumpet and trombone.
AMR.com: You are a singer with the Sugarhorns and are the featured backup vocalist for Adama. Do you have any aspirations to do a vocal album?
KC: I'll probably sing on my next album but of course I will play quite a bit of trumpet and probably trombone and flugelhorn as well.
AMR.com: When you’re not composing and performing, how do you spend your time?
KC: I practice! And I dedicate my time to being Mom as much as possible.
AMR.com: Who is Kiku Collins?
KC: Me!
AMR.com: What advice do you have for younger girls who want to be the next Kiku?
KC: I'd say to be You. Take aspects of people you admire and incorporate them into your evolving self, let them influence you but not dictate who you become.
AMR.com: Are you proud to be a totally tacky Sprite girl?
