Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Interesting new take on Affirmative Action

chickentribs · 01-30-2005, 03:00 AM

Manx, way to hang in there...

First of all, Affirmative Action programs do not use Federal Money (except for a bit channeled in grants that states may or may not use - insignificant).

Second, 90% of the slots aren't taken from general university population for AA, the goal is to create additional slots for these qualified individuals. People getting shut out of schools because of AA is a myth. You didn't get in the school because of what you brought to the table - the slot wasn't taken from you. AA is a great excuse for your buddys and to get sympathy from your family and girlfriend, but the slot wouldn't have been there for you if AA didn't exist either. Like a reserved parking spot you can't use anyway.

Third, there is no such thing as reverse discrimination. Please stop saying that. (Gasp!) Discrimination is the action of using authority and power to manipulate those without authority or power into even lesser positions. By definition the reverse cannot exist. Racism is the belief system that causes the action of discrimination. You can have reverse racism, but that just means the black person doesn't like you because you were a racist to begin with, which is pretty fair. These definitions are not interchangable if we are going to understand each other and be consistant.

To repeat, unless your government carte blanche kicked enough white people out of schools and boardrooms and replaced with minorities to a level that EXCEEDS overall population demographics, there is no reverse discrimination. You're safe from being a victim. There is no "White Man's Burden" you all seem to wear on your sleeve. Quit trying to sell it.

If you really need proof that racism is alive and well today, look at the the faculty of your schools, the presidents of your universities, the Board of Directors at your companies. Then look at our prisons. I know - it's not your fault. Fine. Your off the hook. But there is a real problem with our society and the "why" of this mess that somebody has to address. As Manx was patiently repeating - money doesn't solve the problem. We have to create opportunities within our social structure that don't currently exist to lift up the possibilities and the idea of a young woman or minority so they can have the same conviction you had growing up that if they work hard, society has a place waiting for them. When you have seen that everyday of your life on TV, in the neighborhoods you grew up in, the schools you got to go to... you are blind to the value of having real possibility to believe in.

If your father, and your brother were sitting in jail, it's a short road for you to get there too. Believe it.

Anyway - I'm tired and out.

01-30-2005, 03:00 AM	#68 (permalink)
chickentribs Addict Location: Mansion by day/Secret Lair by night	Manx, way to hang in there... First of all, Affirmative Action programs do not use Federal Money (except for a bit channeled in grants that states may or may not use - insignificant). Second, 90% of the slots aren't taken from general university population for AA, the goal is to create additional slots for these qualified individuals. People getting shut out of schools because of AA is a myth. You didn't get in the school because of what you brought to the table - the slot wasn't taken from you. AA is a great excuse for your buddys and to get sympathy from your family and girlfriend, but the slot wouldn't have been there for you if AA didn't exist either. Like a reserved parking spot you can't use anyway. Third, there is no such thing as reverse discrimination. Please stop saying that. (Gasp!) Discrimination is the action of using authority and power to manipulate those without authority or power into even lesser positions. By definition the reverse cannot exist. Racism is the belief system that causes the action of discrimination. You can have reverse racism, but that just means the black person doesn't like you because you were a racist to begin with, which is pretty fair. These definitions are not interchangable if we are going to understand each other and be consistant. To repeat, unless your government carte blanche kicked enough white people out of schools and boardrooms and replaced with minorities to a level that EXCEEDS overall population demographics, there is no reverse discrimination. You're safe from being a victim. There is no "White Man's Burden" you all seem to wear on your sleeve. Quit trying to sell it. If you really need proof that racism is alive and well today, look at the the faculty of your schools, the presidents of your universities, the Board of Directors at your companies. Then look at our prisons. I know - it's not your fault. Fine. Your off the hook. But there is a real problem with our society and the "why" of this mess that somebody has to address. As Manx was patiently repeating - money doesn't solve the problem. We have to create opportunities within our social structure that don't currently exist to lift up the possibilities and the idea of a young woman or minority so they can have the same conviction you had growing up that if they work hard, society has a place waiting for them. When you have seen that everyday of your life on TV, in the neighborhoods you grew up in, the schools you got to go to... you are blind to the value of having real possibility to believe in. If your father, and your brother were sitting in jail, it's a short road for you to get there too. Believe it. Anyway - I'm tired and out. __________________ Oft expectation fails... and most oft there Where most it promises - Shakespeare, W.