racism

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

What I have always felt, and this may be controversial... but what I have always felt is that if you are a white, able-minded, able-bodied male in the U.S., you have absolutely zero excuse for not being financially successful and/or self-sufficient (unless one chooses, for whatever reason, not to be so). The world is your veritable oyster. I'm not saying that everyone has to pursue wealth for wealth's sake. And I'm not saying that people do not have mitigating circumstances that are above and beyond the color of ones skin. But I don't think white people generally worry about being denied housing or employment because they are white. I don't think white people feel intimidated at a mostly white college campus because they are white. I don't think white people feel like they are profiled by the cops, taxi drivers or shopkeepers. But then again, I'm not white, so I don't know for sure. But, in general, I feel a lot less sympathy for a capable white male who struggles vs. a capable black male who struggles- rational or not. Sure, overt racial discrimination is illegal, but there are so, so many gray, insidious areas where ones skin color still does matter in every day society . . . .

I see what you are saying, but I think giving advantage to the poor as a whole as opposed to the black (or other minority) poor the advantage solves this problem with the added benefit of also helping white poor.

Also, I suggest that if you go to the poorer areas of the country, like Appalachia, the white people feel oppressed as well. That oppression come from the rich of all color, shapes, and sizes.

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

So you are saying that affirmative action is actually creating/prolonging racism? I am not sure if that is a popularly held notion. I certainly don't feel that way . . . .

The current system perpetuates the racism because it tells black people (or other minorities) that they do not have to work as hard to get ahead because you get an automatic break because you are black. That whole notion makes white people hate (resent, etc.) black people on some level. How could it not when they and their kids are losing out. Thus, the perpetuation argument. Put another way, two wrongs do not make a right So, I say that until we as a society move away from the whole "this group over that group" mentality, it will only get worse.

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

I think this example is rather extreme, but any sort of entitlement program can be stressed to its limits with unintended consequences. But why eradicate a program that works for the majority just to penalize a few stray outer-limit blips? Yes, on the surface it seems unfair that black guy #2 gets preferential treatment in this case, but then again you don't know what kind of struggles or missed opportunities he had to endure along his educational journey due to his blackness.

The black person in my example deserves no leg up no matter what their history is. They come from four "generations" of educated people and they have the financial means to get educated, etc. Put another way, AA and the Act have worked for them - they are no longer eligible for the cure. Conversely, the poor white kid from generations of uneducated people in Appalachia, likely received an awful education, if any. They need a leg up.

If the poor white kid does not get the leg up, how is that in any way fair? How does that in any way further the goal of making black people whole again? The answer is it does not. I suggest all it does is let the rich black kid get an undeserved leg up at the cost of denying some poor white kid a means to get out and improve their life. It also serves as an obvious vehicle t0 piss off white people who had nothing to do with slavery. And, these same white people likely were not racist to begin with. But, when they get fukced over like this, they are going to hate black people on some level.

Note - I am in no way saying that racism does not exist, etc. I am just saying that advantage should be given where it is needed, which is to the poor as opposed to the selectively determined race. More people truly deserving of help will get it under my plan and the racial "you vs. me" mentality is obviated

As for racism, feeling inferior, etc., that you touched on - the current system does not really do anything to prevent or cure that line of thought. The govt. cannot really do that.