Quote:
Originally Posted by DGTess
Well, then you didn't read the part that said I'd probably be helped by some of these "leveling" policies. They feel dishonest to me. I prefer to know I earned my way - and if I have to work harder than the next guy to do so, so be it.
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This is a very simplistic and individualistic way of looking at the social world. Like you're an example of who introductory-level textbooks are made for.
It's as if you think that you have complete control over everything. As if people will always announce "hey, we're about to discriminate against you right now" or "hey, we're about to level the playing field right now" and you'll be able to check "accept" or "decline." You don't really know whether your hard work is being rewarded solely based on your qualifications and your hard work. You can only assume based on your limited ability to gauge your input: outcome ratio.
Women and racial and ethnic minorities have always wanted to earn our way and we've always known that meant we would have to work harder to get on the same level or above. You're not introducing a new concept there.
However, the fact of the matter is that these leveling policies are necessary because there are millions of people who will work their butts off and still be told (or know without having been told) "women can't do this" or "blacks can't do that" or "you're poor, have worked hard all of your life, and tried to save money but there is no hope for getting out of poverty."