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 3 of 10)
31. brian; I meant you shouldn't use real world examples because we found the post where you said your wife had an abortion. Thus making you a liar and your "real world examples" not credible.
It's #258 from "The Stupid Party and the Evil Party" Jan. 30th
Ryan Anderson at 12:39PM on Mar 10th 2008
32. Speaking of tips and lack of them, brian, where's a good place to get an inexpensive lunch in Tullahoma? I'll be in town this afternoon or maybe tomorrow afternoon.
mac at 12:42PM on Mar 10th 2008
33. enough about brian, on to Dinesh's post...
I actually tend to agree with Dinesh, in theory, on this one. However, where his premise fails is that he thinks everything became hunkydory for African Americans a generation ago. There is still so much institutionalized racism in America that racial preferences are still necessary and will be for generations to come.
Ryan Anderson at 12:45PM on Mar 10th 2008
34. brian (#24) - Thanks for taking the time to respond. Why would you bring up this topic at all if you were not trying to bias those who are less tolerant than you?
alan at 12:46PM on Mar 10th 2008
35. I worked as a bartender at a couple of Florida's hottest and mot popular night clubs. While it is true that most black men don't tip it is not why brian says. Most just don't know how much is appropriate.
Most black men drink Heinekens, Hennessey, gin and juice and tip 0-10%. Why? Because of the education they are taught and being a product of their environment. Just as bud and vodka is popular amongst white folks
We had Scotty Pippin one night run a high tab leaving only a 5% tip. His nick-name was "no tippin Pippin" He later claimed to a waitress that he didn't know how much of a tip was appropriate on his tab and handed her 200 dollars because he felt bad. He was also drunk from what I heard.
In the night club industry "the customer is always right" was not followed and staff often asked customers if the service was good why the bad tip? You wouldn't believe some of the answers that came from both white and black patrons.
Even Seven Segal thought tipping was not necessary when he walked out one night! But hey, to each his own
Tipping is a privilege not a right.
goddess1prevail at 12:49PM on Mar 10th 2008
36. Totally off the subject, but when I waited tables the worst tippers were the generation that grew up during the depression. The same generation that washes as reuses their sandwich baggies. This of course is understandable.
As for AA, I have mixed feelings. I agree with Jerry Brown in post #1 that we will eventually eliminate the need for AA. From what I understand DD is saying that AA is an unfair advantage. However, don’t money and connections give many an unfair advantage? Especially when it comes to college and career? Maybe AA is leveling the playing field. Maybe we will need something socially / economically based instead of race of gender based in the future.
Gwen at 12:53PM on Mar 10th 2008
37. alan,
Is it wrong to use racist statistics? It's not wrong to say if they're statistically true. I just don't see the point of bringing them up.
Mokele-Mobembe at 12:51PM on Mar 10th 2008
38. brian,
I don't care for the chain restauraunts, I like the mom and pop places, all the local flavor.
mac at 1:05PM on Mar 10th 2008
39.
Give him a minute, mac. He's looking it up on the internet.
FL Chick at 1:09PM on Mar 10th 2008
40. Mokele-Mobembe (#36) - I'm not sure I understand how your comment relates back to something I wrote. Because I respect your views, I would appreciate a little more detail so that I can understand.
I tend to view things in statistical terms, thus the casual vs. causual question in #11 and the sampling comment in #14.
Sorry if I offended.
alan at 1:24PM on Mar 10th 2008
41. alan; I'm not sure it's possible to offend Mokele.
Ryan Anderson at 1:27PM on Mar 10th 2008
42. #38. Mom & pop places/local flavor. haha. Good one.
van at 1:33PM on Mar 10th 2008
43. alan,
I wasn't offended. It's good that you look at things in statistical terms, as long as you don't make naive conclusions. I hate statistics, not just because it lowered my math grades, but people are fooled by them so easily. Lies, damned lies, statistics. Every time I see a statistic I reread every word to see if someone is trying to manipulate me by bending my perspective of the facts.
Mokele-Mobembe at 1:32PM on Mar 10th 2008
44. My favorite anecdote from statistics class is that there tends to be a correlation between violent crime rates and ice cream sales in major cities. Go figure...
Ryan Anderson at 1:35PM on Mar 10th 2008
45. I'd like to know how DD comes up with the notion that gays "are jumping on the affirmitive action bandwagon". It is illegal to fire{or not hire) someone based upon their sex, color, or ethnecity. All the while, it is perfectly legal, in all but a handful of states, to walk up to someone and say "You're fired because you're a faggot" (just one example is the witch-hunt by the Cracker Barrel eateries a few years back).
DD just couldn't help himself once again.
TimJ at 1:36PM on Mar 10th 2008