Attorney General William Barr pushed back on the idea that the institutions of the United States are systemically racist.
During a Wednesday interview with CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, Barr refuted arguments that the justice system is inherently racist, saying reforms implemented over the span of 60 years have constructed a bias of nondiscrimination.
“Doesn’t that sound like systemic racism?” Blitzer asked, characterizing a statement from the attorney general that said black Americans might face increased suspicion from law enforcement.
“No. To me, the word systemic means that it’s built into the institution. And I don’t think that’s true. I think our institutions have been reformed in the past 60 years, and if anything has been built-in, it’s a bias to nondiscrimination and safeguards against that,” Barr said. “And also, I think we have to be a little careful about throwing the idea of racism around. Racism usually means, you know, that I believe that because of your race, you’re a lesser human being than me. And I think there are people in the United States that feel that way. But I don’t think it is as common as people suggest.”
“I think we have safeguards to ensure that it doesn’t really have an effect to someone’s future. I think we’ve made a lot of progress in the past 60 years. To listen to the American Left nowadays, you’d think we’ve gotten nowhere,” Barr continued.
Blitzer agreed there has been progress but asked if black citizens are treated differently than white citizens.
Barr said that even if that was the case, it doesn’t indicate racism.
“Didn’t Jesse Jackson say that when he looks behind him, and he sees a group of young black males walking behind him, he’s more scared than when he sees a group of white youths walking behind him? Does that make him a racist?” the attorney general said.
“I think there’s more progress being made and more reform, and we’re going about that. But the demonization of the police and the idea that this is so widespread, an epidemic, is simply wrong,” he continued.
