3 ms·

So, if you say that race-based policies are needed to smooth out differences in socioeconomic background, why not abandon them in favor of criteria based on act

So, if you say that race-based policies are needed to smooth out differences in socioeconomic background, why not abandon them in favor of criteria based on actual socioeconomic background of the involved person? Thus switching a very loose proxy for the real deal? The current race-based policies consider Obama's daughters "marginalized" and an Ukrainian orphan "privileged". That is sort of awful and illogical.

atoav 4y ago
I am all for something like that, where feasible. Ot sure if such a progressive idea would be feasible in the US. I am sorry to say it this bluntly, but that would be like installing the TV set in a house before building a roof or making sure the foundation is not slipping down the hill. And I agree with your judgment about the observation you made, but I think one can always create better policy in that field, but the perfect should not be the enemy of the good here.
- thrown_22 4y ago
  This is not good. This is terrible. The US is racist even when it tries not to be. Listening to Americans on how to solve racism is like listening to catholic nuns on how to deal with abortions.
  - atoav 4y ago
    I agree again, I just think in the US the problems that would need solving run much, much deeper and have to do with something I'd call "anti-collectivist" culture. Individualism tuned up so far, it starts to become destructive: People that would rather hurt themselves than support others. As long as that kind of thinking is widespread in the US nearly none of the nice things will be possible.
- inglor_cz 4y ago
  It would almost certainly be feasible in academia, whose values seem to significantly differ from the US median. But instead, top schools in the US are becoming even more entrenched as institutions for the rich, by the rich.

3 ms·

So, if you say that race-based policies are needed to smooth out differences in socioeconomic background, why not abandon them in favor of criteria based on act

by inglor_cz 4y ago

atoav 4y ago
I am all for something like that, where feasible. Ot sure if such a progressive idea would be feasible in the US. I am sorry to say it this bluntly, but that would be like installing the TV set in a house before building a roof or making sure the foundation is not slipping down the hill. And I agree with your judgment about the observation you made, but I think one can always create better policy in that field, but the perfect should not be the enemy of the good here.
- thrown_22 4y ago
  This is not good. This is terrible. The US is racist even when it tries not to be. Listening to Americans on how to solve racism is like listening to catholic nuns on how to deal with abortions.
  - atoav 4y ago
    I agree again, I just think in the US the problems that would need solving run much, much deeper and have to do with something I'd call "anti-collectivist" culture. Individualism tuned up so far, it starts to become destructive: People that would rather hurt themselves than support others. As long as that kind of thinking is widespread in the US nearly none of the nice things will be possible.
- inglor_cz 4y ago
  It would almost certainly be feasible in academia, whose values seem to significantly differ from the US median. But instead, top schools in the US are becoming even more entrenched as institutions for the rich, by the rich.