Fire Imus?

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I think it is because in America, the current system is designed to promote black people over white people in an attempt to right the wrongs of the past.

The problem with that goal is that all black people can take advantage of this system regardless of their income, privilege, etc

For example, if you have a below poverty level white kid who is more deserving on his own merit, he likely will lose an application to school, for a job, etc. to a rich, black kid who is less deserving on his own merit. To me, that is not right and it solves nothing in the way of helping people who need help, which ostensibly was the larger goal.

Similarly, government and some private contracts are given to minority owned firms solely because they are minority owned and no matter how much higher the price or the quality of workmanship. I think when people see this disparate treatment, they get angry, esp. when they are coughing up 30-40% of their salary to pay for this BS wasting of money. In other words, it would be cheaper and more efficient to take 10% of your money and go to the projects and hand it out on the street along with a providing a class on how to succeed in business. Moreover, white owned businesses have closed because of this treatment and good, hard working, white families have lost their homes, etc. because of this. How is that fair?

I have used this example in the past. My blond haired and blue eyed friend had no clue that something like his great, great grandfather's race allowed him to qualify for special treatment. This guy came from a wealthy family who could clearly afford to educate him in style. Yet, he qualified for a scholarship based on his "race" and he got into a school over more qualified white people. My friend certainly knew nothing of his past and certainly could have cared a less about righting any wrongs, as all his family's wrongs had been made right via their own hard work generations before then.

So, the question is - how is a system that allows this called a fair system? The answer is it is not.

So, the question then becomes, well, don't we have to help disadvantaged kids? Yes, we do.

But, helping disadvantaged kids should be just that. This is why I conclude any leg up should be based on poverty alone and race should not enter the picture. After all, aren't poor white kids just as deserving as poor black kids. Certainly, the poor white kids are discriminated against.

Yet, me saying this brands me as a horrible racist in this country. I think that is wrong.

Thanks. I'm not articulated enough to argue this point.