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I think this is one of the reasons why its so hard to address racial inequality in America. No one one wants to specifically categorize certain problems as bei

by vinhboy 11y ago

I think this is one of the reasons why its so hard to address racial inequality in America. No one one wants to specifically categorize certain problems as being endemic to one racial group because it sounds racist. But I feel like that would make tackling the problem a lot easier, therefore benefiting that group.

cgriswald 11y ago
We categorize problems endemic to particular racial groups all the time. For instance, blacks, hispanics, and poor whites are largely over-represented in the prison population. The reasons for this are many, but are largely endemic to the system, rather than being endemic to these groups. Inequality of education and opportunity is, in my opinion, the primary factor; followed closely by the War on Drugs. But other factors include inequality in how law enforcement treats suspects in these groups and inequality in legal defense. Solutions to some of this are fairly straightforward. Educational opportunities should be improved for the underserved. Real legal defense should be provided for those who cannot afford it.* Law enforcement needs to be overhauled and demilitarized. The problem is there is no political will among people who matter to make these changes. I think maybe you are talking about cultural issues of particular groups that contribute to problems. There is the concept of "acting white" which does hold down certain ethnic groups in some areas, particularly education. I do think those problems should be addressed, but I also think they are addressed, just not at city, state, or national level. I see these problems addressed largely in support groups within and without communities. My college, and many universities have programs tailored to provide help for underserved groups and addressing these kind of issues falls under their aegis. (A matter of pride, the program developed at my college served as the template for all such programs in colleges and universities across California.) But even so, I think addressing the larger issues will not only solve many of the issues that are specific to particular groups, it will also provide the moral grounds to avoid accusations of racism when addressing those issues directly. *In my county, the public defenders are private. They are paid per case and are therefore incentivized to take on as many cases as possible. The quickest way to deal with a case is to encourage their client to take a plea deal regardless of the merits of their defense. In other counties, the public defenders are holding public offices and are incentivized, therefore, to win cases to further their careers. However, often these defenders are given case loads so large they can literally only spend seconds or minutes on any individual case.
- vinhboy 11y ago
  I mostly agree with you, especially all the factors you mentioned. But like you said, I am "talking about cultural issues of particular groups that contribute to problems". I think they play a bigger role in perpetuating these problems than you may think. Or at least, they offer a good way for us to attack these problems.
bonobo3000 11y ago
Agreed. In super-liberal circles, i see people sounding alarms at the mere mention of race, even in a completely non-offensive way. You can't tackle a problem you aren't even willing to talk straight about. The current system is something like attempting to make an ostrich walk while its head is forced in the sand.
alistproducer2 11y ago
The politics are addressing racism is hard. White people don't want to take responsibility for something that happened before they were born; minorities won't accept their current problems are their fault. Neither group is wrong for feeling the way they do, but the hard truth is accepting these positions is the only starting point to undoing hundreds of years of assholery.
- rustynails 11y ago
  Slavery was not a white problem, it was a humanity problem of multiple skin colours, and in some places, still is. No one should be held accountable for their ancestors actions. I certainly don't look at anyone Who is Japanese and think "Pearl Harbour", it's just not sensible.
  - GFK_of_xmaspast 11y ago
    http://achewood.com/index.php?date=02062007 http://achewood.com/index.php?date=02062007
karmacondon 11y ago
You're right. I think the problem is that white people are bad. Now it will be easier to solve the problem, and white people will benefit from this knowledge.

by vinhboy 11y ago

cgriswald 11y ago

We categorize problems endemic to particular racial groups all the time. For instance, blacks, hispanics, and poor whites are largely over-represented in the prison population. The reasons for this are many, but are largely endemic to the system, rather than being endemic to these groups. Inequality of education and opportunity is, in my opinion, the primary factor; followed closely by the War on Drugs. But other factors include inequality in how law enforcement treats suspects in these groups and inequality in legal defense. Solutions to some of this are fairly straightforward. Educational opportunities should be improved for the underserved. Real legal defense should be provided for those who cannot afford it.* Law enforcement needs to be overhauled and demilitarized. The problem is there is no political will among people who matter to make these changes. I think maybe you are talking about cultural issues of particular groups that contribute to problems. There is the concept of "acting white" which does hold down certain ethnic groups in some areas, particularly education. I do think those problems should be addressed, but I also think they are addressed, just not at city, state, or national level. I see these problems addressed largely in support groups within and without communities. My college, and many universities have programs tailored to provide help for underserved groups and addressing these kind of issues falls under their aegis. (A matter of pride, the program developed at my college served as the template for all such programs in colleges and universities across California.) But even so, I think addressing the larger issues will not only solve many of the issues that are specific to particular groups, it will also provide the moral grounds to avoid accusations of racism when addressing those issues directly. *In my county, the public defenders are private. They are paid per case and are therefore incentivized to take on as many cases as possible. The quickest way to deal with a case is to encourage their client to take a plea deal regardless of the merits of their defense. In other counties, the public defenders are holding public offices and are incentivized, therefore, to win cases to further their careers. However, often these defenders are given case loads so large they can literally only spend seconds or minutes on any individual case.

vinhboy 11y ago
I mostly agree with you, especially all the factors you mentioned. But like you said, I am "talking about cultural issues of particular groups that contribute to problems". I think they play a bigger role in perpetuating these problems than you may think. Or at least, they offer a good way for us to attack these problems.

bonobo3000 11y ago

Agreed. In super-liberal circles, i see people sounding alarms at the mere mention of race, even in a completely non-offensive way. You can't tackle a problem you aren't even willing to talk straight about. The current system is something like attempting to make an ostrich walk while its head is forced in the sand.

alistproducer2 11y ago

The politics are addressing racism is hard. White people don't want to take responsibility for something that happened before they were born; minorities won't accept their current problems are their fault. Neither group is wrong for feeling the way they do, but the hard truth is accepting these positions is the only starting point to undoing hundreds of years of assholery.

rustynails 11y ago
Slavery was not a white problem, it was a humanity problem of multiple skin colours, and in some places, still is. No one should be held accountable for their ancestors actions. I certainly don't look at anyone Who is Japanese and think "Pearl Harbour", it's just not sensible.
- GFK_of_xmaspast 11y ago
  http://achewood.com/index.php?date=02062007 http://achewood.com/index.php?date=02062007

karmacondon 11y ago

You're right. I think the problem is that white people are bad. Now it will be easier to solve the problem, and white people will benefit from this knowledge.