It was probably not intended as a means to divide and keep the working classes conquered, but affirmative action has been quite divisive. — Bitter Crank
Diversity is much sought after (in some circles) because it is thought to improve performance for everyone through some mysterious influence. I haven't witnessed such an effect in the work place, but I can imagine that diversity could make a contribution to collegiate life. — Bitter Crank
What else would you have when you try to correct the errors of the past, segregation and racist legislation, with still holding on to the core idea of dividing people into categories of race?Race based decision making policies are pervasive in the US. — Hanover
Even if we don't have a rigid caste system or an entrenched class system, modern societies tend to be meritocracies at best. A meritocracy doesn't end classes. Add then the capitalist system on top and there are always those who are better off and those who aren't.Most so-called democracies are aristocracies in disguise, and rejecting the principle of noblesse oblige does not constitute a glorious revolution. Let's pretend that there is some principle or virtue at stake though, rather than power politics overriding the justice system in a race for complete moral nihilism masquerading as righteous religion. — unenlightened
Even if we don't have a rigid caste system or an entrenched class system, modern societies tend to be meritocracies at best. — ssu
Meritocracy" is the cloak under which dynastic rule likes to hide, and is the justification for grinding poverty amid fabulous wealth. — unenlightened
Your instincts are correct here. It’s morally wrong. As the case proves, any race-based inclusion leads to race-based exclusion. — NOS4A2
While I think that affirmative action is defensible in principle (and the benefits of inclusive diversity are well documented and researched), it has shown to be ineffective to change overall culture and should be replaced with something that works. That it hasn't changed anything is because the "tone at the top" is the same old, racist, white people in power. There's no good example to be had (and in this respect the Netherlands is even worse). — Benkei
What else would you have when you try to correct the errors of the past, segregation and racist legislation, with still holding on to the core idea of dividing people into categories of race? — ssu
don't notice a lot of Asians in the US government; they are simply pursuing their interests using the available rhetoric. — unenlightened
This response seems too simplistic. You say the problem is old school.racists, but where is the evidence of that? Not that I've sat in important board rooms to know much, but all I hear from my seat is how everyone needs to promote diversity. The US is a diverse nation and diverse employment is good for business. — Hanover
Tell them the race of those involved has no bearing on anything in the entire process. — NOS4A2
This requires an acceptance of some sort of illuminati that sets up the puppets on the strings and then watches as they half knowingly play out their roles on stage. — Hanover
I'm Jewish and can attest to the emphasis upon education in my community, which also leads to over-representation in the professions and in leadership positions. — Hanover
It's not racist to ask if we have arrived at the point where it can be dropped. — Tate
I fully accept, for example, that gays have had a tough path historically in the US, but I don't think part of that struggle was in exclusion from universities, real estate markets, or employment. So why am I being asked to be on the lookout for them to be sure they get hired? — Hanover
I am saying that states that claim to be democratic are nearly always dynastic to a great extent (count the Bushes and Kennedys, for example). — unenlightened
When can we drop extra support for the structurally disadvantaged? — unenlightened
relies on custom and management of the media — unenlightened
Like everyone else, progressives have a strong tendency to blame the media for their failures. As horrible as the media can be, they are not the problem. Blaming the media becomes an excuse for not considering the possibility that much of the leftist program is unappealing to most people — Domhoff
Affirmative action essentially forces social change by giving minority individuals the chance to start their own dynasties. — Tate
much of the leftist program is unappealing to most people — Domhoff
even the desperate poor prefer to think they deserve their poverty rather than that they have been systematically shafted their whole lives and never stood a chance. — unenlightened
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