I hope that this is true- the evolution of racial politics

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

I'm interested in understanding how affirmative action is even in the same category as reparations. fantASTic?

In this day and age, it's non-monetary reparations (except, of course, in the form of scholarships, in which case it IS monetary reparations). White students and black students go to the same schools, take the same tests and have the same opportunities. My black neighbor in high school had no disadvantages in society - his parents were both dentists, for Christ's sake. Yet, he got preferential admission over me. How is that NOT a form of reparation?

Even if you can possibly find a way to claim that he somehow deserved that, how is it that now POST-graduate schools are allowing this? Medical schools are giving preferential admission - sorry, but when a kid went to my same college, had the same classes, same professors, same EVERYTHING as me, she has no right to get preferential admittance, especially to such competitive areas as medical schools and graduate schools.

When all other factors are essentially equal, affirmative action is more of a reparation than an equalizer - what are you equalizing?

[LightBulb]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

When all other factors are essentially equal, affirmative action is more of a reparation than an equalizer - what are you equalizing?

When all other factors are essentially equal, it's equal opportunity, not affirmative action.

Additionally, if everything else were the same (same grades, same scores, same level of recommendations, same extracurriculars), something has to be the deciding factor. Many universities push to add diversity (of races, religions, economic classes, etc.), and this is one way for them to achieve this goal.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

In this day and age, it's non-monetary reparations (except, of course, in the form of scholarships, in which case it IS monetary reparations). White students and black students go to the same schools, take the same tests and have the same opportunities. My black neighbor in high school had no disadvantages in society - his parents were both dentists, for Christ's sake. Yet, he got preferential admission over me. How is that NOT a form of reparation?

Even if you can possibly find a way to claim that he somehow deserved that, how is it that now POST-graduate schools are allowing this? Medical schools are giving preferential admission - sorry, but when a kid went to my same college, had the same classes, same professors, same EVERYTHING as me, she has no right to get preferential admittance, especially to such competitive areas as medical schools and graduate schools.

When all other factors are essentially equal, affirmative action is more of a reparation than an equalizer - what are you equalizing?

How is a scholarship a reparation?

..and that 2nd paragraph....starting to sound a lil' too whiny for my liking....

[DrPhil]

Deidre Royster's Race and the Invisible Hand speaks to this perfectly.

I predicted fantASTic's response perfectly and it's the exact same response whites who feel this way have used for 15-25 years. And every white person who uses it claims to know a black person with the same background as them, or an undeserving black person, who was given preferential admission over them. It's like the worst kind of urban legend EVER.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by LightBulb

Additionally, if everything else were the same (same grades, same scores, same level of recommendations, same extracurriculars), something has to be the deciding factor. Many universities push to add diversity (of races, religions, economic classes, etc.), and this is one way for them to achieve this goal.

Yep. There are schools in the South that have a lot of students from the North. They notice this trend and seek to admit more students from the South. That's their take on diversity---regional diversity. These schools don't relax admission standards to accomplish this diversity. They recruit differently, have outreach programs, work on their financial aid opps, and offer scholarships that will attract more students from the South.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by LightBulb

When all other factors are essentially equal, it's equal opportunity, not affirmative action.

It's not equal opportunity if not all students receive the same opportunity, is it?

DSTChaos/Dr. Phil/ Queen of Sheba (): Can you explain why I'm wrong?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

DSTChaos/Dr. Phil/ Queen of Sheba (): Can you explain why I'm wrong?

I'm not going to get into that. Research affirmative action and stop perpetuating urban legends.

[fantASTic]

Hey, at least I remembered all your names. Don't I even get one gold star for that?

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

It's not equal opportunity if not all students receive the same opportunity, is it?

DSTChaos/Dr. Phil/ Queen of Sheba (): Can you explain why I'm wrong?

Let me try asking again...how is a scholarship akin to reparations?

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Let me try asking again...how is a scholarship akin to reparations?

Because you're giving someone money because of their skin color and no other reason, and the only reason they're getting that is because of something that happened before I and my parents were born, as opposed to anything that actually happened to THAT person.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

Hey, at least I remembered all your names. Don't I even get one gold star for that?

You're asking for recognition for something that anyone else can do. Hypocrite!!

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

Because you're giving someone money because of their skin color and no other reason, and the only reason they're getting that is because of something that happened before I and my parents were born, as opposed to anything that actually happened to THAT person.

I'm going to tell myself that you're just kidding and baiting for fish. Yeah, that's it.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

Because you're giving someone money because of their skin color and no other reason, and the only reason they're getting that is because of something that happened before I and my parents were born, as opposed to anything that actually happened to THAT person.

Seriously? Please tell me you aren't being serious.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

Because you're giving someone money because of their skin color and no other reason, and the only reason they're getting that is because of something that happened before I and my parents were born, as opposed to anything that actually happened to THAT person.

Fail.


Ok......do you even KNOW what a scholarship is?

Do you know that scholarships are not 'given'?


I am starting to wonder why you are in this conversation now...


ETA: Ok I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and say that 2 times....and you didn't properly read and comprehend my question.

[DrPhil]

Cliff notes:

Black people support affirmative action because they want nonmonetary slavery reparations.

Coincidentally, other racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities support affirmative action for the same reason. Scary how that happens.