All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. : comments [Battles with Integrity]

I'm not a fan of reparations. For starters I don't know where the money should go. However, whether or not one's ancestors were here during or after the time of slavery is inconsequential. We still enjoy a comfortable life that was made possible by the "peculiar institution". The fact remains that the United States was built on slavery, cheap foreign labor and the exploitation of women and children. I think one example of how we all benefit from this is the railroads and what they accomplished. The railroads into California were built by both foreign born Irish and Chinese. The working conditions for these men were atroctious, and in the case of the Chinese, they were even denied citizenship because of the Chinese Exclusion Act.

However the railroad was vital for business, agriculture and the growth of the American west. Let us not forget the slaughter and genocide of the people who were living here already.

Again all stuff you know, but even white Europeans who arrived on the boat yesterday in some way benefit from the past exploitation of people of color, poor whites and women in building up this nation.

I think that the conversation of race, class and gender in this country desperately needs to move forward, but I think it is now in white people's court to educate themselves and work to correct institutionalized racism and sexism. One way that oppression is codified into our minds and pedagogy is the constant demand that oppressed people explain their experience to people with power. I think that before a conversation about reparations can begin white folk are gonna have to get library cards, stop being so damned defensive and educate themselves. I think the first step is to realize that when someone talks about racism they are talking about power relationships and not necessarily an individuals opinions or actions. On a personal note, being in a relationship with an Asian man has shown me time and time again that there are privledges to being white that he does not enjoy. This doesn't make me a bad person, but it makes me a bad person if I take that privledge for granted and don't do what I can in terms of speaking out, learning when to shut-up and doing what little bit I can for equity.

[parent entry] [link] [reply]

I don't know whether reparations are the best use of our resources or not. Presumably were we to pay out, it would be to people who were direct descendants of slaves. Seeing as how we keep pretty good records, we might be able to account for many folk. Failing that, instead of actual cash, perhaps we could find some other way to help balance the tables. We've spent long enough with the tables balanced against minorities, perhaps we might spend a little while with the tables balanced the other way. Rather than proposing a specific solution, I think perhaps we should actually have the National Discussion on Race that Clinton attempted while the Republican Congress stuffed their fingers in their ears and said, "Nonny, nonny, nonny. I can't hear you."

Of course, in order to do that, we'd have to have someone in office interested in something other than short-sighted, narrow-minded, personal self-interest. While the Republicans carry that as a banner, the Democratic party has not traditionally strayed far from the Me Generation hit parade.

[link] [parent] [reply]

I like the idea of the National Discussion on Race. I imagine it will infuriate everyone. That might be a good thing. Seriously. Although it isn't a solution (I'm not sure there is one "quick fix") I think it might help to keep things on track in regards to civil rights gains. I think the reparations argument will be dead the minute it gets out the door. Whether or not it is a good idea, the vast majority of Americans will see it as a "handout." I think that in the world of realpolitik it won't play.

Balancing the tables the other way has never worked. Marx tried it and it was a disaster.

At this point I would be happy seeing some of the affirmative action programs for the Universities restored.

[link] [parent] [reply]

Marx never tried anything. He was just a scholar. Lenin was the disaster. Affirmative action is just that a rebalancing of the tables.

[link] [parent] [reply]

Marx was a philosopher without whom there never would have been a Lenin/Castro/Mao. Granted, his role in the political arena was limited, but I think the Manifesto constitutes a definite political agenda that was implemented. To go with the conservative chestnut, ideas have consequences, Marx's ideas certainly did.

I never thought of Affirmative Action as rebalancing. I have have always thought of it as promoting opportunity to succeed. Rather than claiming the universities "for the people" it allowed different types of people into the universities, what they did after that was up to them.

[link] [parent] [reply]

Well, my idea of balance does not include anything like Marx's hairbrained schemes. I mean a little tipping, like offering advantages to people who have been purposefully dis-advantaged.

I always wonder what Marx would have done if a committee had taken away his favorite pen, intending to give it to someone who was a better writer (to each according to his needs).

[link] [parent] [reply]

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26 1	27	28	29	30

Battles with Integrity

Hmmm

Re: Hmmm

Re: Hmmm

Re: Hmmm

Re: Hmmm

Re: Hmmm

September