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 7 of 10)
91. Hey Linda, glad to see you are still around. Glad you had a good time in Jamaica.
danny at 4:47PM on Mar 10th 2008
92. Hi mac. Good to see some new folks along with the regulars.
Looks like DD had some doozy blogs last week. I'll read up tonight for kicks.
Nice to hear from Somber, the voice of truth.
(Somber, I always picture you as looking like Selma Blair. She always seems to play sardonic, intelligent women in her roles)
Linda at 4:49PM on Mar 10th 2008
93. Racism is alive and well in America. Rightfully so. What race is hated more than blacks? Why not Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexicans. Why so much hatred for blacks? It is because they deserve it. It's their social conduct that keeps racism alive. It will be here forever. Just like their unruly conduct and lack of social responsibility.
Marty at 4:59PM on Mar 10th 2008
94. I think the fact that BO is not a typical African-American (athough I think he is the minority that can truely use this classification for his race) as he is not descended from former American slaves, proves what DD has said in previous posts. That the typical Black American uses Affirmative Action as a crutch. DD has said that Blacks that are not descendants of slaves rise to higher positions than their former slave counterparts. BO's father was from Africa and BO rose through the American educaton system and is now a serios contender for the Presidency of the United States of America. He was accomplish as a professional Lawyer and Politician, never listening to the attacks of other Blacks as being an "Uncle Tom." Affirmative Action holds the Black Man down, by allowing them to perceive themselves as superior. I say as all Black men need to pull ourselves up and not be held down by out fellow Blacks with claims such as reperations and Affirmative Actions.
jonathan at 4:59PM on Mar 10th 2008
95. Inez,
Your quote is slightly off. She said for the first time in my ADULT life I am really proud of my country. I thought when she said it how important the really was, and latter how she has been misquoted. I remember when G W Bush was running for president in 2000 he said; he would make us proud of our country again. As though we were not proud of our country. Apparently referring to Bill Clinton, and his escapades.
Jerry Brown at 4:58PM on Mar 10th 2008
96. Linda,
Glad to see you back.
Jerry Brown at 4:58PM on Mar 10th 2008
97. ROFL Linda
Picture Wynnona Ryder in beetle juice and make her 4'1" tall in a black beret. That's me.
And yes, I go by 'Somber' IRL too.
Somber at 5:00PM on Mar 10th 2008
98. Where are blacks mostly employed? State and Federal jobs where they can't be fired for poor performance. Few can make it in the private sector.
Marty at 5:03PM on Mar 10th 2008
99. Wow, Marty, such sweeping generalizations with all the scorn and distaste ignorance and pettiness can engender.
Are you a Dartmouth scholar too?
Somber at 5:02PM on Mar 10th 2008
100. Somber... it seems crazy to me that people can be fired in this day for their sexual orientation... one of my good friends at a previous job couldn't be more butch and we used to have some good conversations.. about her crazy girlfriend, my life/beliefs, etc..
I thought this was the age of being 'pc'. Hmmm..
Shannie at 5:02PM on Mar 10th 2008
101. Big Ryder and Blair fan here.
Mokele-Mobembe at 5:03PM on Mar 10th 2008
102. What if Affirmative Action was transitioned from race-based to class-based? Would that not appease both sides, for and against?
dani at 5:07PM on Mar 10th 2008
103. Somber: Winona is even cuter than Selma. Although at 4'1", you're more like Edith Piaf.
Moi, je ne regrette rien!!
Linda at 5:29PM on Mar 10th 2008
104. I'm sure that Marty thinks he knows what he is talking about, but no, he doesn't.
I work in a city with 80% black folks, and they have plenty of private sector jobs, and do just fine, thank you very much.
It's called stereotypical thinking. If you think of all people of a certain race as being a certain way, you are a bigot and a racist and your opinion don't mean SHIT.
Linda at 5:32PM on Mar 10th 2008
105. guys,
if you go with me you have to tip good because waiters and waitresses deserve no less. its hard to be such a little comment sparked such a debate. you know whether you agree with me or not i have remarkable way of stirring up lively discussions on this board, i think i can stir it up better than DD.
does anyone want to here another sordid tale about a guy who claimed to be a professional football player and a black minister and a car dealership owner and a jeweler and jail and forgery. really a cool story but some one is going to have to ask me to tell it because it is juicy. messed up and tops the tipper any day
brian at 5:38PM on Mar 10th 2008