It especially annoys me when racists are accused of 'discrimination.' The ability to discriminate is a precious faculty; by judging all members on one 'race' to be the same, the racist precisely shows himself incapable of discrimination.
Interpretation
The quote critiques the notion that racism is a form of discrimination, arguing instead that it reflects a lack of true discernment.
Christopher Hitchens argues that labeling racists as 'discriminators' is misguided. He posits that the essence of racism lies in a failure to recognize the individuality of members within a racial group, contrasting it with the true concept of discrimination, which requires thoughtful judgment and analysis of differences among individuals.
In practice
During a discussion about social issues, referencing Hitchens' quote could highlight the complexities of prejudice.
In a public dialogue with Salman in London he [Edward Said] had once described the Palestinian plight as one where his people, expelled and dispossessed by Jewish victors, were in the unique historical position of being 'the victims of the victims': there was something quasi-Christian, I thought, in the apparent humility of that statement.
What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Never ask while you are doing it if what you are doing is fun. Don't introduce even your most reliably witty acquaintance as someone who will set the table on a roar.
[E]xceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.
The worst days are when you feel foggy in the head - chemo-brain they call it. It's awful because you feel boring. As well as bored. And stupid. And resigned.
Let me tell you something: for hundreds of thousands of years, this kind of discussion would have been impossible to have, or those like us would have been having it at the risk of our lives. Religion now comes to us in this smiley-face, ingratiating way — because it’s had to give so much more ground and because we know so much more. But you’ve got no right to forget the way it behaved when it was strong, and when it really did believe that it had God on its side.
Swift has sailed into his rest; Savage indignation there Cannot lacerate his breast Imitate him if you dare, World-besotted traveler; he Served human liberty.
In our period, they say there is free speech. They say there is no penalty for poets, There is no penalty for writing poems. They say this. This is the penalty.
The tendency to aggression is an innate, independent, instinctual disposition in man... it constitutes the powerful obstacle to culture.
Things were somehow so good that they were in danger of becoming very bad because what is fully mature is very close to rotting
How does it feel, how does it feel to be without a home, like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone.
Through me you go into a city of weeping; through me you go into eternal pain; through me you go amongst the lost people
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