Last Updated on February 25, 2021
The company behind the racist “be less white” training on LinkedIn featuring Robin DiAngelo is Big Think, a multimedia platform designed to be “YouTube for intellectuals.”
National File reported last week on the racist, anti-white “Confronting Racism” course, featuring content from noted anti-white commentator Robin DiAngelo. The course, which was allegedly made mandatory by Coca-Cola, teaches people to “be less white,” and implies that to be white is to be arrogant, defensive, ignorant, and oppressive.
https://twitter.com/DrKarlynB/status/1362774562769879044
The course, available on LinkedIn Learning, was put together by a company called Big Think, without the knowledge of DiAngelo herself. After being brought to her attention, the course was pulled from LinkedIn via Big Think at her request. DiAngelo said she had no knowledge that Big Think used her materials to make money.
Big Think describes itself on its Facebook page, which at the time of writing has over 3 million likes, as “a forum where top experts explore the big ideas and core skills defining the 21st century.” Big Think was founded in 2007 by Victoria Brown and Peter Hopkins, who envisioned creating a “YouTube for intellectuals,” when the site at the time was severely lacking in high quality content.
Hopkins told TechCrunch in 2008 that he wanted to use “high-quality content to begin an exchange of ideas in two directions,” and encourage debate. On the face of it, Big Think has done just that, with the platform including “intellectuals” from across the political spectrum, ranging from socialists to the members of the “intellectual dark web.”
Is there such a thing as being too politically correct? Comedians, philosophers, politicians, and others weigh in. https://t.co/5xUiqa6LpH
— Big Think (@bigthink) February 23, 2021
However, further examination reveals a more subtle bias to Big Think’s content production – that of an atheist, liberal, pro-“science” bent, and a total lack of positive discussion for ideas supported by millions of conservative Americans.
The organization has posted many videos and articles from people bashing Christianity, including denying that America was founded as a Christian nation. Pop-culture scientists such as Bill Nye the Science Guy and Neil DeGrasse Tyson, whose understanding of science is severely lacking at times, are pushed as “experts,” by debunking low-hanging fruit like flat Earth theories.
Why America’s Christian foundation is a myth: https://t.co/LifNjN3fYC pic.twitter.com/TgbQKRWA0F
— Big Think (@bigthink) February 23, 2021
A playlist currently available on Facebook entitled “the case of Donald Trump,” features 8 videos which are entirely negative and critical of the former President and presumptive 2024 nominee, with absolutely no positive commentary provided. A cursory search of the Big Think YouTube channel for more videos about President Trump reveal videos attacking populism, “xenophobia,” and describing his presidency as a racist, pseudo-religious cult.
The only people who criticise current leftist orthodoxy such as political-correctness who have produced content for Big Think are liberals in all other areas of their politics, such as Sam Harris, Ricky Gervais, Steven Fry, and former Monty Python member John Cleese. “Conservatives” featured on BigThink’s YouTube channel include Senator Mitt Romney and late Senator John McCain.
The company also has received sponsorship from the Charles Koch Foundation, partnering in 2018 to a produce a series of videos and content together. Charles and his brother David Koch have faced notable criticism among the right for funding open border projects, and backing a big business agenda, in opposition to more America First policies.
National File contacted Big Think for comment on this story. Specifically, National File asked the supposedly-intellectual company whether Big Think endorsed the message of DiAngelo to “be less white,” given that publishing the opinions of different people as a neutral platform on social media differs from selling those same ideas.
Two courses with similar topics relating to diversity remain up on Big Think’s LinkedIn Learning page at the time of writing. This reporter asked if they had similar content to the course featuring DiAngelo. National File did not receive comment by the time of publication. This story will be updated if there is a response.
