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For many in America, the race issue is more about who we are as a nation than it is about practical results. We want to identify as abolitionists, who defeated
by prossercj 3y ago
For many in America, the race issue is more about who we are as a nation than it is about practical results. We want to identify as abolitionists, who defeated the slaveholders and moved toward "a more perfect union" (a line from the Constitution which Lincoln echoed in relation to the war).
The disagreement is essentially about the best way to achieve equality, which though a nebulous term is accepted as a goal without debate, even though the definition of the term can be widely different, as in this case. The conversatives argue that we can only achieve equality by being colorblind. The progressives argue that we can only achieve equality by consciously addressing inequality.
I see some merit on both sides. I tend to lean toward the conservative view, but I recognize moments in our history where active intervention was both noble and necessary (desegregating schools, for example). The question is whether those actions were special cases or are examples for us to follow going forward.
- mcpackieh 3y agoEquality has fallen out of vogue, the new hot term is equity.
- goatlover 3y agoBecause the focused has shifted to outcome over equal opportunity or treatment in the present. Some of us think that's misguided and the equal opportunity approach was working.
- hedora 3y agoThe equity approach is so blatantly racist / classist that I can’t believe it has taken root in left leaning states like California. Equality based: Fund the schools, and use evidence based educational reforms, with the result that California schools were top ten in the US. Equity based: Not everyone can do math and stem, so defund science and art programs (already done) and try to discontinue funding for calculus (almost happened this year). Schools are now 43rd in country, but rich districts can have parents fund the missing programs via donations, and are some of the best in the country. Further fuck with things by forcing UC admissions to be based on standing within each school’s graduating class, so illiterate minority kids end up being admitted to the top schools, and need to be weeded out.
- bombcar 3y agoIf the goal is the elite ruling class being in complete control of all aspects of life for the good of the people, the choice is clear.