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The other reply is completely correct. You are misinterpreting what Moynihan meant when he wrote: >"The steady expansion of welfare programs can be taken as a

The other reply is completely correct. You are misinterpreting what Moynihan meant when he wrote: >"The steady expansion of welfare programs can be taken as a measure of the steady disintegration of the Negro family structure over the past generation in the United States." What he meant was that, as we see a crumbling of black family structure, they will require greater help, which came through welfare. Here is the heart and soul of his argument: "at the heart of the deterioration of the fabric of Negro society is the deterioration of the Negro family" I don't think he would have argued that reducing welfare would help these people, and to imply that is disingenuous at best.

stickfigure 12y ago
I didn't read that implication in the GP's statement.
hackuser 12y ago
The country's response to a crisis of the black American family was to imprison a large number of black males, adding another crisis to the situation. Considering that and other forms of discrimination, it's amazing that the black middle-class has expanded so much.
- Snesker 12y ago
  Imprisoning someone isn't a response to anything but crime. Imprisonment for a crime is not discrimination. You're insane.
  - hackuser 12y ago
    > Imprisonment for a crime is not discrimination. I wish it was so. Consider however: * Many laws are and have been discriminatory. For example, laws banning minority activites such as homosexual sex or interracial marriage; laws imprisoning Japanese in WWII or banning forms of political speech in many eras; laws banning peaceful protest during political conventions; laws that penalize poor people's vices (crack, dope) much more harshly than rich people's vices (cocaine, prescription drugs). * Police enforcement is sometimes discriminatory: Much research supports that some minorities are harassed by law enforcement (e.g., 'driving while black', or stop-and-frisk in major cities). What might be overlooked from a middle-class white can result in jail time for a poor black. * Prosecutor enforcement is sometimes discriminatory: Research supports that some minorties are charged with harsher crimes than other citizens, for the same behavior. The powerful and connected get a pass. * Judicial enforcement is sometimes discriminatory: Research supports that convictions and sentencing are harsher for minorities. Also consider the long history of blacks facing all-white juries. Also, the poor have much less access to judicial resources, such as a good lawyer. There is a long history of blacks, for example, being defenseless against all-white police forces, governments and judicial systems. You can see it today; consider Eric Garner and other recent cases, where people even can be killed with no reprocussions.
  - dzdt 12y ago
    Everyone is a criminal. (Think: have YOU ever done anything illegal? Tried pot? Downloaded music? Thrown eggs? Driven buzzed?) Some criminals are disproportionately targeted and disproportionately punished. Lucky for you you got a pass.

stickfigure 12y ago

I didn't read that implication in the GP's statement.

hackuser 12y ago

The country's response to a crisis of the black American family was to imprison a large number of black males, adding another crisis to the situation. Considering that and other forms of discrimination, it's amazing that the black middle-class has expanded so much.

Snesker 12y ago
Imprisoning someone isn't a response to anything but crime. Imprisonment for a crime is not discrimination. You're insane.
- hackuser 12y ago
  > Imprisonment for a crime is not discrimination. I wish it was so. Consider however: * Many laws are and have been discriminatory. For example, laws banning minority activites such as homosexual sex or interracial marriage; laws imprisoning Japanese in WWII or banning forms of political speech in many eras; laws banning peaceful protest during political conventions; laws that penalize poor people's vices (crack, dope) much more harshly than rich people's vices (cocaine, prescription drugs). * Police enforcement is sometimes discriminatory: Much research supports that some minorities are harassed by law enforcement (e.g., 'driving while black', or stop-and-frisk in major cities). What might be overlooked from a middle-class white can result in jail time for a poor black. * Prosecutor enforcement is sometimes discriminatory: Research supports that some minorties are charged with harsher crimes than other citizens, for the same behavior. The powerful and connected get a pass. * Judicial enforcement is sometimes discriminatory: Research supports that convictions and sentencing are harsher for minorities. Also consider the long history of blacks facing all-white juries. Also, the poor have much less access to judicial resources, such as a good lawyer. There is a long history of blacks, for example, being defenseless against all-white police forces, governments and judicial systems. You can see it today; consider Eric Garner and other recent cases, where people even can be killed with no reprocussions.
- dzdt 12y ago
  Everyone is a criminal. (Think: have YOU ever done anything illegal? Tried pot? Downloaded music? Thrown eggs? Driven buzzed?) Some criminals are disproportionately targeted and disproportionately punished. Lucky for you you got a pass.