Here's a litmus test for Barack Obama: where does he stand on racial preferences? If he's for them, then how can he claim to be a national unifier? What country bases its rule of social justice on attempting to figure out whose ancestors did what to whom?
A generation ago, racial preferences were arguably necessary for African Americans, especially in the South, to kick in the closed door of segregation and Jim Crow. But then other groups (women, Hispanics, immigrants, gays) climbed aboard the affirmative action bandwagon, absurdly proclaiming, "We are the new blacks." To which the answer is: are you the descendants of slaves? Can you begin to show a comparable history of suffering and deprivation as African Americans?
Today preferences based on race, gender, national origin and sexual orientation have largely become a scam. In elite colleges, for instance, they are a way for Jesse Jackson's kids to get an unfair advantage over poor white kids with better grades and better test scores. On those same campuses, women with lesser qualifications especially in the sciences are routinely hired as teachers over men who are more deserving. What could be more divisive, and more infuriating, then such policies of official race and gender-based discrimination?
Obama can launch a national debate, and give substance to his pledge to be a uniter, by saying: It's time for America to become a post-racial society. This doesn't mean that racism has ended or that as a social reality "race doesn't matter." But the character and magnitude or racism have dramatically changed. Racism today does not have legal sanction, as it once did. Equally significant, racism today is episodic rather than systematic. This means that the law no longer has to take account of race in order to get beyond race. The best way to get rid of race as a factor in decision-making is quite simply to get rid of race as a factor in decision-making. If racial preferences fall, obviously gender preferences would disappear as well.
If Obama makes this argument, it would astound the country and immediately draw moderate and even Republican support. The Hillary camp would launch its usual attacks, but against Obama they would bounce off. This is one issue on which Obama would have unimpeachable credibility.
Will he do it? Does he have the guts?
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 10)
1. http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com
FORMER ATHEIST at 11:37AM on Mar 10th 2008
2. I worked in Virginia, West Virginia, North, and South Carolina in the late 50's, and early 60's. When I watched the returns in Virginia for Obama my eyes filled with tears of joy because of the advancement of my fellow Americans ability to rise above the race issue, and vote for a black man. The civil rights laws of the 60's as well as affirmative action has helped make this possible. As time goes by affirmative action has become less important, and maybe the time has come to get past it is now. Then again we may be a little early, but I do believe it will eliminate itself in due time. What ever the outcome in the presidential race that is happening now Obama has proven we, as a nation have made great strides in overcoming the issue. Obama has done so very much for our country concerning this issue. Hopefully he will continue, and become a great president.
Jerry Brown at 11:37AM on Mar 10th 2008
3. If Obama listens to your( an admitted opponent) advice, does this make him courageous..or stupid?
mac at 11:40AM on Mar 10th 2008
4. I personally feel Affirmative Action (which DD seems to be referring to) should not be race-motivated. It makes sense that BO should take the post-racial stance over a reverse-racial stance. On a side note, it was only last century when it was the norm for job postings to say "Christians only", and shun my Jewish ancestors (we came from slaves too).
FORMER ATHEIST,
Shut up. Please.
Mokele-Mobembe at 11:40AM on Mar 10th 2008
5. Atheist and DNA discoverer, Dr. James Watson makes RACIST comments inspired by his belief in Darwinism. These people should not make public policy.
http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_tech/article3067222.ece
THOMAS QUINN at 11:44AM on Mar 10th 2008
6. I think the amount of young white Americans that are readily showing up to vote in record numbers for Obama shows the "race as a factor for decision making" can be overcome.
danny at 11:42AM on Mar 10th 2008
7. Barack is half white. Barack is half black. He is well educated and traveled.
What does that make him?
A senator that is running for the white house.
Why don't people consider him white?
SKIN COLOR.
The USA has a problem with color, maybe they won't in a few months.....
emanon at 11:45AM on Mar 10th 2008
8. THOMAS QUINN,
DNA was discovered long before Dr. Watson and his team deduced its form. And hey, look at you, talking about "RACIST comments", and grouping all atheists as "These people" in the same breath.
Mokele-Mobembe at 11:49AM on Mar 10th 2008
9. "The USA has a problem with color, maybe they won't in a few months."
Michelle O feels proud to be an American for the first time in her adult life. For that I envy her, for I look around and we are not the nation we should be. Far from it. Maybe in a few months...
Mokele-Mobembe at 11:57AM on Mar 10th 2008
10. OK then just the FACTS without opinion...
Atheist and DNA discoverer, Dr. James Watson makes RACIST comments inspired by his belief in Darwinism.
http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_tech/article3067222.ece
THOMAS QUINN at 12:01PM on Mar 10th 2008
11. my son had a friend who worked with him at o'charlesy's while at college. this friend waited on a black family. the number at he table was 8. the meal was over 100.00 to which the waiter recieved a 5.00 tip. 5.00 tip. the waiter ask the man if the service was good and the man said it was excellant. the waiter ask him if there was any problem with the food, there was none. the waiter asked the man about the low tip. and the man said,"its because of your grand-parents and your parents" in other words the black man was not tipping better because of issues the waiter had nothing to do with. it makes you pause and wonder who is racist? in this resteraunt the blacks were referred to as "canadians", it was the catch word for the waiters and waitresses who waited on the tables because they were such very poor tippers. apparently its a common thing. i do not know because i have never been a waiter. i just found it interesting. i told my son not to lump skin color in with how a group of people tip or don't. but it does give one pause to consider
brian at 12:02PM on Mar 10th 2008
12. Jerry Brown (#1) - Well said.
THOMAS QUINN (#6) - Did Watson's knowledge of evolution cause his racism or did he use his knowledge of evolution to support his racism?
How does the Atheist label fit in?
What does this have to do with the topic?
alan at 12:02PM on Mar 10th 2008
13. Atheists who have promoted Darwinism in order to imply their genetic superiority over Africans were SURPRISED by this latest research from Cornell University. Perhaps we are now seeing what drives some of these Darwinists to invent "make-believe" story's about missing links between apes and humans from Africa.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,331949,00.html
The point is: The only race we really have is the human race and every person should be loved and respected.
THOMAS QUINN at 12:06PM on Mar 10th 2008
14. Be careful Dinesh , in reference to skin color I think you are “blacker" than Obama!
swells at 12:08PM on Mar 10th 2008
15. brian (#12) - It appears that you are trying to draw conclusions about a group of people form a single, biased sample.
alan at 12:07PM on Mar 10th 2008