Black History Month is a time to reflect on the great achievements of African-Americans and black Africans, while also confronting the sordid history of racism. Thankfully, racism has declined considerably over the past decades. However, we still need to combat vestiges of racism in our society, so that we can properly love our neighbor, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
Indeed, scholars today are cranking out multitudes of books about racism. Three prominent examples from 2021—published by academic presses—are Anthea Butler, White Evangelical Racism, Randall Balmer, Bad Faith: Race and the Rise of the Religious Right, and J. Russell Hawkins, The Bible Told Them So: How Southern Evangelicals Fought to Preserve White Supremacy. One can hear a similar refrain on NPR: for example, in the July 2020 report, “White Supremacist Ideas Have Historical Roots in U.S. Christianity.” NPR also warned in many reports during 2021 about white supremacism inherent in “Christian nationalism.”
What often seems neglected in this discussion is the history of scientific racism, which was in some ways more virulent than most religious forms of racism. This is not to say that historians have completely ignored scientific racism. Indeed, I have contributed to this scholarly discussion in some of my earlier works, as well as in my newly released book, Darwinian Racism: How Darwinism Influenced Hitler, Nazism, and White Nationalism.
However, it seems that the way scientific racism is presented differs substantially from the way religious racism is treated. Many scholarly works and NPR stories on religious racism assume that religion—especially evangelical Christianity—is still heavily tainted by racism. Indeed, an op-ed in Scientific American in 2021, “Denial of Evolution Is a Form of White Supremacy,” overtly slammed creationists as white supremacists. The writer completely ignored the fact that Ken Ham, a leader among young-earth creationists, co-authored a book (with an African American), in which he vigorously opposes racism. Contrary to the anti-racist discourse of the progressive left, most evangelical Christians are firmly opposed to racism. Indeed, many African Americans and Hispanics belong to evangelical churches.
Most works on scientific racism admit that scientists erred in the past by promoting racist ideas, but then the historians celebrate the triumph of science, since later scientists overcame these misguided ideas. Of course, most scientists today—just as most religious leaders today—do reject racism. One of the outliers— Nobel-Prize-winning biologist James Watson—is often condemned by colleagues when he makes racist statements.
So, if the vast majority of scientists reject racism, one might conclude that scientific racism is no longer a problem. However, this ignores the elephant in the room.
What elephant? Well, how about examining the white nationalist scene today to see what they actually believe? To be sure, white nationalism is a fringe movement, albeit a vocal fringe. Nonetheless, how do they justify their racist ideology? While researching my book, Darwinian Racism, I examined the websites and publications of many neo-Nazi, white nationalist, and alt-right individuals and organizations. What I discovered was that most white nationalists and white supremacists today embrace a social Darwinist version of scientific racism and vehemently oppose Christianity.
One of the most virulent pieces of social Darwinist racism I have ever read is the 1896 book Might Is Right by Ragnar Redbeard (pseudonym), which is currently popular among white supremacists. Indeed, in 2019, shortly before a 19-year-old gunman at the Gilroy Garlic Festival killed three and wounded 17, he recommended on social media that people read Redbeard’s book. Many white nationalist websites recommend this book, and some even sell it. The subtitle of Redbeard’s book is Survival of the Fittest, and it is laced with Darwinian themes, such as the inescapable necessity of a struggle for existence between races. In addition to demeaning non-white races, Redbeard’s book also vociferously attacks Christianity.
Many white nationalists claim that Darwinism directly supports their ideology, because they think that races have evolved to different levels. They are convinced that races are pitted in a merciless struggle for existence. Their penchant for white supremacy is their bid to win the Darwinian struggle for existence.
Those doing battle against the religious roots of racism do often uncover vestiges of racism and this can be helpful. However, sometimes they seem to be letting the most flagrant proponents of racism off the hook. Could it be that they are uncomfortable recognizing that most white nationalists today are thoroughly secular and are inspired by Darwinism and science, rather than religion?
Richard Weikart is professor emeritus of history at California State University, Stanislaus, Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, and author of seven books, including the new release, Darwinian Racism: How Darwinism Influenced Hitler, Nazism, and White Nationalism.