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> The only way forward is to stop group-based identity politics completely I agree, that would be ideal. How do you propose to accomplish it? And failing that,

> The only way forward is to stop group-based identity politics completely I agree, that would be ideal. How do you propose to accomplish it? And failing that, which you almost certainly will in any conceivable timeframe, what is plan B? Plan B is the problem we need to solve. > things are changing for the better Maybe, but the project is a complete failure unless success is measured in centuries. It's 2018 and discrimination against anyone who isn't white-skinned, male, and in narrower circles, Christian, is still overwhelming. White guys make up 33% of the U.S. population but absolutely dominate business, politics, tech -- as you look around TV, the news, etc., remember that an even distribution would be 1/3 white guys and observe how incredibly skewed it is. So what do you say to someone of another gender, race, or ethnicity, who wants a career, a life? 'Things are changing for the better! Your great-grandchildren will have more opportunity!'? Be aware that's stereotypical language of privilege - when it's not your problem, it's easy to say, 'wait'. We need to act, now.

manigandham 8y ago
This will be my last reply because you're stuck in an idealogical bubble and I hope you can break out of it someday. You're stating that you agree in stopping identity politics but you're also stating that it's impossible to achieve, and under that assumption you will always fail to achieve it. It's possible to accomplish as I already said, by simple forgetting everything about group identity. That's it. Treat people like individuals and nothing else. The tiny minority that will still make a big deal about it will wither away slowly and have insignificant effect on anyone else. But as your last 2 paragraphs show, you're unable to do that and still keep looking through a group lens. There is not really much discrimination at all, but it will always seem like it as long as you use arbitrary groupings, like saying "white guys" when that could cover people from half the countries on the planet. There is no such thing as an "even" distribution because you made an random group based on something uncontrollable like skin color, and then decided that the world should match without even pausing to consider that there are millions of factors that make up the individual, and that localized family and societal cultures make a large impact on what someone will choose to do with their life. Stop thinking in groups (especially on any physical characteristic). The only way forward is to treat everyone like the unique character they are, with their entire life as their background with their own unique interests, talents, and motivations. That's the answer to both your questions. If you want to act and change for the better, just do that.

manigandham 8y ago

This will be my last reply because you're stuck in an idealogical bubble and I hope you can break out of it someday. You're stating that you agree in stopping identity politics but you're also stating that it's impossible to achieve, and under that assumption you will always fail to achieve it. It's possible to accomplish as I already said, by simple forgetting everything about group identity. That's it. Treat people like individuals and nothing else. The tiny minority that will still make a big deal about it will wither away slowly and have insignificant effect on anyone else. But as your last 2 paragraphs show, you're unable to do that and still keep looking through a group lens. There is not really much discrimination at all, but it will always seem like it as long as you use arbitrary groupings, like saying "white guys" when that could cover people from half the countries on the planet. There is no such thing as an "even" distribution because you made an random group based on something uncontrollable like skin color, and then decided that the world should match without even pausing to consider that there are millions of factors that make up the individual, and that localized family and societal cultures make a large impact on what someone will choose to do with their life. Stop thinking in groups (especially on any physical characteristic). The only way forward is to treat everyone like the unique character they are, with their entire life as their background with their own unique interests, talents, and motivations. That's the answer to both your questions. If you want to act and change for the better, just do that.