Originally Posted by beaglette /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have to say that I respectfully disagree with much of what you have said.
Prejudice can go both ways-- white vs. black and black vs. white. (I'm addressing "black" as the minority since that is what your post refers to.) There are a lot of things that black people are afforded that white people simply aren't. One that comes to mind and really irritates me is "United Negro College Fund". If there was a fund set aside *specifically* for and named for white people, Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Push Colitition along with Al Sharpton would be on every new outlet, marching in Washington screaming "discrimination". But, why is it ok to have an organization for and named for "black people"? Mind you, I don't care what they call it. I just want equality for mankind as a whole. I want the same standard set for everyone, not just one group of individuals.
Secondly, many, many have agreed that affirmative action has done more harm than good when it comes to obtaining an advanced education. By setting a quota for a university to meet in terms of racial ratios, they are allowing those in who don't have the background to succeed, educationally. Therefore, there are many who are flunking out. Now, the problem isn't in the college level-- it starts at the beginning of one's educational journey. Equality in education should be started from the outset, not as an afterthought after many years have passed. If that happened, there'd be no need for affirmative action in education. Everyone would be vying for the same spot and only the cream of the crop would get a spot, black or white or otherwise.
Thirdly, there are many financial aid options open to those who are minorities simply because of the color of their skin. Why should one's skin color be the litmus test for financial aid for education? Shouldn't the *true* litmus test be *need* and everyone given the same access to financial aid?
The last thing I have a MAJOR problem with is those who come from foreign countries to "live the American dream" and are assisted in doing so by our government. Why should a foreigner be allowed to come to the US and obtain grants to start a business based on the mere fact that they are a foreigner and a minority? Why should the government assist those who aren't Americans to live the American dream? Why shouldn't they assist AMERICANS in living the AMERICAN dream? Now, I'm certainly not against others coming to the US to live (My two oldest children are from another country and citizens of that country). What I advocate is equal access to those grants-- and actually, FIRST access to those grants for AMERICANS.
Prejudice doesn't just involve skin color. There's much prejudice against those with disabilities- Deafness, for example. And what about people who are fat? (Yes, fat prejudice is a hobby horse for me!!)
We need a paradigm shift in our thinking. Instead of trying to focus on one group of individuals freedoms, we need to focus on freedoms for ALL groups; equality for ALL groups; applying same standards for ALL groups. If we were to ever succeed in this one area, prejudice would be a thing of the past.
Warmly,
Brandi
NB tho, Reesesilverstar didn't choose black ppl to talk about. I was simply responding in the spirit of the original post.
That said.
Most of your sentiments, I agree with. But those institutions exist NOW because measures to PREVENT it weren't put in place THEN... And like I said, we're reaping the benefits of that...
About flunking out at the college level. Isn't there a selection process based on academic aptitude, community involvement, personal accomplishments etc? Fill me in if I'm in the dark, cuz I should have gone to school for free then, instead of having to submit forms and proofs and recommendations...
Originally Posted by kyuubified /img/forum/go_quote.gif Perhaps I am over analyzing it, but it seems the root of all racial tension is the "them vs us" mentality. Whether it be race, gender, age, etc, there will always be some sort of prejudice because they are not on the same "side" as you are. So, in a sense, there will always be people that are racist because, in order for their not to be, there would have to be no culture. And I'm fairly certain no one is willing to give up their culture. To hope that people can be open minded and unbiased is wishful thinking, though hopefully not impossible. Bravo!
Originally Posted by beaglette /img/forum/go_quote.gif Your post brings up some other questions... What is culture? Is culture learned? Is bias based on culture or is it based on the community to which we belong? What is the difference between culture and community?
Warmly,
Brandi
Good question!
I think your community is where you learn your culture. All our paradigms, attitudes and most interests are learned from the ppl we interact with the most. We are simply a reflection of our communities...Whether good or bad.
/emoticons/
