Update: This interview with black conservative writer Shelby Steele is a must-read. Sample quote:
“Affirmative action and all of its sundry manifestations should be completely eliminated. It stigmatizes all blacks, and it’s not voluntary. One of the real cruelties of affirmative action is that whether we want it or not, it is imposed on us, simply because of the color of our skin. You don’t get to opt out.”
Steele has a new book coming out in May. I appeared on a panel with him last year (see posts here and here). He’s one of America’s last true gentlemen.
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You may recall Southern Illinois University’s (SIU) “fight” with the Department of Justice (DOJ) about its “minority” fellowships. DOJ sued SIU because the fellowships discriminated against whites, and SIU stopped the practice. (For the time being, that is. I suspect they’ll resurrect it in some other form.)
Other colleges, now running scared, are taking preemptive measures. Many are opening up race- and sex-based scholarships to whites and men. Keep in mind, they’re not doing so out of any sense of decency or remorsefulness for blatantly violating the Constitution. They just don’t want to get sued.
In this case, however, motives matter little. The results are infinitely more important. From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
In January, the State University of New York made white students eligible for $6.8 million of aid in two scholarship programs also previously available just for minorities. Pepperdine University is negotiating with the Education Department over its use of race as a criterion in its programs.
“They’re all trying to minimize their legal exposure,” Susan Sturm, a law professor at Columbia University, said about colleges and universities. “The question is how are they doing that, and are they doing that in a way that’s going to shut down any effort or any successful effort to diversify the student body?”
Well, Professor Sturm, if the goal to diversify the campus is only skin deep, perhaps the administrators ought to rethink it. If the goal is to acquire the best students of any race, I doubt they’ll have much trouble recruiting them, especially if they sweeten the money pot.
May this sound the death knell for all government-mandated skin color preferences and considerations. I’m glad at least one bloated government agency managed to do the job it’s charged to do.
Now if we can only get this one to do its job. 
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{ 32 comments }
“’They’re all trying to minimize their legal exposure,’ Susan Sturm, a law professor at Columbia University, said about colleges and universities.”
I love it! The world is a rosy place when the courts are liberal and manned by “diversity” minded judges who don’t let the Constitution get in the way.
But, the world is a gloomy place when the courts are loaded with those pesky nerds who insist on finding a Constitutional basis in everything. Then it becomes necessary to “minimize” your “legal exposure.”
Gee, it really stinks when you can only play by the rule of law. What about the elites who just know what is “right”? Who will cut them a break? I weep for them. But not really.
That’s too bad.
One of the scholarships I received was a scholarship to help increase the number of minorities studying engineering.
I give to them yearly.
I think the last major battle in the fight against institutionalized racism will be to get rid of affirmative action and race-based preferences of this sort.
Racism = treating someone differently based on their appearance.
When they get rid of legacy preferences and scholarships that basically make it so only white people qualify, I’ll think about it.
Until then, “show me the money!”
This is the way I see it, DS. If they want to base scholarships on family income, for example, as a way to get more black students, fine. If they want to base a portion of admittances on legacies (which includes black folks, by the way), that’s OK, too. But blatant, skin color-based discrimination is illegal (and repugant). Period. If you don’t like it, lobby your congressman/woman to write new laws.
This should have been the case all along…
After hundreds of years, NOW they decide to make things race-neutral….kinda funny…
If they want to base scholarships on family income, for example, as a way to get more black students, fine.
That’s exactly what Gov. Erhlich has done in Maryland, to increase the amount of money given to those in economic need.
And wouldn’t you know it, people are complaining that “poor people aren’t prepared” or “don’t meet the standards”.
Forget that garbage.
Are those statements true or false?
If true, educators AND PARENTS need to focus on raising the level of performance, not dumbing down everything just so people like you won’t call it “garbage” or to prove they’re not racists. This is the slippery slope of race preferences. People are damned if they do, damned if they don’t. Holding people accountable means some will get left out, and if a large portion of those left behind are black, whining and pointing fingers waste time. Part of the solution is going back to what’s worked for hundreds of years: strong families, strong societal stigmas against immoral behavior, and pushing people to either perform and make the effort, or get the heck out of the way and shut up.
If the statements you list are false, whether or not poor kids are underperforming compared to their peers or not meeting standards can be easily disproved.
If you refuse to see factors other than racist intent, low-income black kids are doomed. The fact that they don’t have fathers living with them is criminal enough. Let’s not make it worse.
If poor or rich people aren’t prepared or don’t meet the standards, they nobody should force an institution to take them on. Right?
See, Darkstar, your assumption is that these poor people ARE ready and DO meet the standards and it’s elite country club rulers who are trying to keep them out of college. Is there even the slightest basis in fact for this position?
The problem is not that minorities (whatever that word means these days) are not prepared to meet the standards, but rather that they have had it banged into their heads by the liberals and race-baiters that they can’t possibly meet the standards without help. The message is basically this: “you’re stupid and only white people can help you.” Yet the liberals and the Jesse Jacksons of the world have the gall to characterize conservatives as “haters?”
Instilling a value system into a culture that rewards scholarship and achievement would completely erase any real or perceived racial problems. It doesn’t matter whether the culture is black, poor whites, or little green men from Mars.
Christopher Taylor writes:
>>>”Racism = treating someone differently based on their appearance.”
No…that’s not the definition of racism.
racism: The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
1: the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races 2: discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race [syn: racialism, racial discrimination]
In other words, it’s FAR more complicated.
When America as a society STOPS discriminating against minorities, I will have a different position regarding Affirmative Action.
Dig me up when that day comes.
–Cobra
Please explain to me how what I said is false by that definition. I simply boiled the definition you provided to it’s essence: Treating people different based on their appearance. If you give someone extra special treatment or preference based on their appearance, you are by definition treating people who are different in apprearance more poorly – which is the essence of bigotry. You don’t fix a problem by doing more of it, Cobra.
The grossly bigoted assumption behind affirmative action is that no minority can make it without help from white people. That’s simply repugnant.
Reality check: A bit more than 6% of the immigrants to the US each year come from Africa.
Assuming that most of these immigrants are “black” are we placing them on the same level with homegrown “blacks” in ye olde affirmative action protocols?
Christopher writes:
>>>”Please explain to me how what I said is false by that definition. I simply boiled the definition you provided to it’s essence: Treating people different based on their appearance.”
No, you did not “boil the definition.” You DILUTED the definition to the level of an inappropriate schoolyard idiom. “Treating people different based on their appearance” is so obscenely broad, it can encompass everything from showing tattoos and piercings at job interviews, to bad toupees’ on politicians, to deciding which slugger might be “juicing” this year. All of which have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH the dictionary definition of racism.
Christopher writes:
>>>”If you give someone extra special treatment or preference based on their appearance, you are by definition treating people who are different in apprearance more poorly – which is the essence of bigotry. You don’t fix a problem by doing more of it, Cobra.”
America is bigoted and racist. It was from its enception, unless you’re in denial of American History, and our own CONSTITUTION. Have there been improvements made? Sure. Has there been enough? Not by far. Eliminating Affirmative Action will do NOTHING to improve conditions for minorities, nor combat bigotry and racism against THEM. It will simply allow a small percentage of whites on the margins to surplant them, and allow right winged conservatives to concentrate their attacks on gender equity, the working poor, gay movies, and whatever else lurks in the neo-con playbook.
Nothing in the virulent, anti-minority history of this nation suggests that I owe you that courtesy, sir.
Heliotrope writes:
>>>”Assuming that most of these immigrants are “black†are we placing them on the same level with homegrown “blacks†in ye olde affirmative action protocols?”
You’re suggesting that I can avoid racism by pretending I was born in Africa, and not Jersey City, NJ? You should have told us that years ago, Helio. We could’ve avoided all that slavery and Jim Crow stuff.
–Cobra
Cobra..
America was founded to be a Christian nation, yet was ruled by the love of money. Slavery was the biggest money ever, so it paid to keep black people down and subservient. Thats how racism against blacks got started in this country. Big money was behind it. It was ingrained that blacks were inferior and were only good for service. All because someone wanted to fill their pockets do we have these arguments today.
There’s no way to avoid the racism, not in this world. It will ALWAYS be here and all over the world because the curse of Sin is on this world. It will NEVER leave until Jesus sets up his kingdom here.
But, at the very least, the government or any institution just should not promote any pro-race policies anywhere. Government should be race-neutral, just like people should be. I’ll continue to support any policies that are race-neutral. Thats just the right thing to do.
You know Jesus said the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, He sure is right about that.
The ONLY way to change how people of all races are treated is to change people’s hearts. Only Jesus can do that.
Cobra, first off, good call on the definition, it wasn’t thought through enough. I was trying to find a term that would avoid the word “race” because I find that word bizarre and inaccurate, not to mention ill-used. But if you must, replace “how they look” with “because of their race.” The definition remains true and accurate. If I treat you BETTER because you’re black and I’m not, I’m doing so because of racist assumptions.
Now, whether or not the US was racist from it’s inception and has a history of it – which it does – does not have anything to do with affirmative action. As I said, being racist to fix racism is not a solution, it’s perpetration of the same problem. Further, it continues to be disgusting and insulting to maintain a program that perpetrates the idiot myth that blacks simply cannot make it without massa white gubmint giving them a hand. It makes minorities look weak and helpless and inferior, and continues the repugnant theme that they must have whites to put them on their feet.
How any person of any “race” could possibly support such a horrific and offensive concept is beyond me.
And finally, Helio was simply noting a fact: blacks coming from Africa to the US tend to be far more prepared for success and college than blacks born in America, on average. This is probably due to a lot of issues (such as being able to afford to fly across the Atlantic and set yourself up in a new country giving you better education), but it should not be brushed aside.
Cobra: My reference to the (”black”) African immigration is that the US is becoming increasingly populated at a steady rate by (”black”) Americans who have come recently from Africa and the more static (”black”) Americans who trace themselves to Africa in the distant past.
Affirmative action is a skin color based program. It does not differentiate between recently arrived (”black”) Africans and those (”black”) Americans who have connections with Africa from the distant past.
The differences in spirit to excel between these two groups has been sharply noted in the past.
I guess I would throw the ball back into your court. Do you seek affirmative action for all “blacks” in the world who can reach the shores of the United States? Or do you see affirmative action as some type of remedy for only those “blacks” who can trace their lineage to the days of segregation in the US and before?
See, Darkstar, your assumption is that these poor people ARE ready and DO meet the standards
There are some for which this is true.
and it’s elite country club rulers who are trying to keep them out of college. Is there even the slightest basis in fact for this position?
I don’t think that at all. So I won’t respond to something I don’t think.
The message is basically this: “you’re stupid and only white people can help you.†Yet the liberals and the Jesse Jacksons of the world have the gall to characterize conservatives as “haters?â€
I find what’s quoted to be racist because it presupposes that Blacks are unable to think for themselves, are incapable of reaching a conclusion on their own, and are actually lead by media appointed people.
Darkstar, who do you figure is trying to keep these poor kids out of college, if you say they are ready and meet the standards but are declared not to be. Who is it that’s doing this?
Further, do you have a problem with the CONTENT of that point about only white people can help you or do you simply dislike how it was stated? The presumption of affirmative action is inescapably and obviously “you can’t hack it unless whites help you” and that’s grotesque.
Christopher writes:
>>>” As I said, being racist to fix racism is not a solution, it’s perpetration of the same problem. Further, it continues to be disgusting and insulting to maintain a program that perpetrates the idiot myth that blacks simply cannot make it without massa white gubmint giving them a hand.”
It’s not a very honest argument to say that make when you claim that hiring, admitting to college or awarding contracts to LESS minorities is going to improve the position minorities have in a racist society. But that, in effect, is EXACTLY what your argument is, and that of other anti-affirmative action types:
“We know America is anti-minority already, so let’s be fair and eliminate Affirmative Action, because we know that the 2 to 5% of whites affected by it would appreciate it.”
Be real about it, folks.
–Cobra
Cobra- How about when “minorities” stop discriminating against those who are different tham they are? This must stop. Will you help stop it. Treat each person on their behaviors and abilities, not the color of their skin.
LaShawn,
You are RIGHT ON! What bothers me the most is when you apply for colleges or jobs at colleges… one of the things they send you after you apply is the affirmative actiion card that asks you to check which race you are. I refuse to return those cards because, as Dr. Steele pointed out brilliantly, if you can compete and have the necessary skills the college, company, etc. desires, then you should be accepted regardless of race. I am tired of calling people “African-Americans,” “Asian-Americans,” etc. They’re AMERICANS!!! Thanks for pointing this out and for an excellent blog!
“It’s not a very honest argument to say that make when you claim that hiring, admitting to college or awarding contracts to LESS minorities is going to improve the position minorities have in a racist society.”
Being racist does not help what racism exists in America to become less pervasive, Cobra, no matter how you attempt to portray the situation. Nor does perpetuating the loathsome myth that minorities can only make it by the help of whites in power.
“We know America is anti-minority already, so let’s be fair and eliminate Affirmative Action, because we know that the 2 to 5% of whites affected by it would appreciate it.”
two things:
1) America is not anti-minority. There are some PEOPLE in America who are, but the country as a whole both institutionally and as a general populace is not in any way. Institutionally, we’re quite the opposite.
2) Would you care if 2-5% of blacks were being affected negatively by a program? Would you want that program eliminated?
Stop supporting a racist program that hurts, not helps minorities.
Christopher writes:
>>>”1) America is not anti-minority. There are some PEOPLE in America who are, but the country as a whole both institutionally and as a general populace is not in any way. Institutionally, we’re quite the opposite.”
Lending? Housing? Employment? Law Enforcement? You’re saying there isn’t racism in THOSE institutions? Please provide me with evidence to support your claims…because I can fill this screen with statistics, research, studies and court findings that undeniably show institutional racism in America.
Of course, there are some people who don’t acknowledge statistics, research, studies and court findings that fail to support their arguments.
Christopher writes:
>>>”2) Would you care if 2-5% of blacks were being affected negatively by a program? Would you want that program eliminated?”
America has negatively affected blacks since day one. You’re not arguing that you would eliminate…
–Cobra
Cobra, you obviously have a lot of passion about the subject. However, I interpret hostility in your comments. I may be wrong, but that is how it comes through to me.
You are not going to accomplish what you want if you do not give up the anger.
Polite logical persuasion is the only way to truly advance what you want. Name calling/labeling/making disparaging remarks about American society is only going to make people defensive and prepared for a fight.
I am in a working class family that is not racist. My family has a right to compete equally and fairly in our society as anyone else. My family does not owe you or any other “minority” anything, other than the respect and kindness we should all show any member of our relatively progressive and advanced society.
(La Shawn, thank you for having that spell checker feature!)
Cobra, you need to be able to distinguish between “people who are racist in an institution” and “institutional racism.” Somehow I suspect you know the difference, if you’re honest. Until you can honestly deal with questions and points made, you’ll never grow or learn intellectually. Case in point, I tried to help you understand why racism is bad, even when it points at whites, and you deflected it deliberately and intentionally to ignore responding to it. You know what I’m talking about and your ideology will not let you think honestly about it. Until you can, there’s really not much point discussing the matter with you.
What about athletes receiving preferential treatment? They don’t score the required grades to be granted permission to the top universities. Oh I forgot, they do generate money for the university. We always overlook this problem. Lets switch to family income and get rid of preferential treatment for athletes.
I BET NO ONE WILL EVER TOUCH THIS SUBJECT
I actually don’t have a problem with atheletes getting preferential treatment in terms of admissions when they aren’t qualified. Not only does this give a leg up to poor folks, it generates significant income for the institution in question. No problem there as far as I’m concerned, there are a lot of scholarships that help people out who may not be qualified to get into institutions of higher learning. I just think it’s wrong to complain about racism, then claim it’s being solved by being deliberately racist.
Athletes being accepted based on athletic ability is fine with me too.
Bottomline, affirmative action is a racist institution.
Its based on the idea that since whites are inherently superior to blacks, blacks need to have racial quotas in their favor in order to succeed. Totally wrong.
What Cobra conveniently ignores is that the average African–go ahead, pick any nation, region or composite–has it worse than the average black American living in the ‘hood’, ghetto or projects even.
If one were to monetize or otherwise assign a value to the difference in living standards and the available — often ignored/abused/unappreciated — opportunities that ‘institutional racists’ provides, then one must acknowledge that black Americans have come a long way from their ‘left-behind’ cousins.
Never mind that it was those same ‘cousins’ that sold us for a few pieces of silver. Talk about karma
Cobra, I DARE you to pack up your stuff, store it somewhere and move to Africa and spend a year. Just do it!!!
But you probably won’t, cause you’re too weak & coddled by the very system you conveniently condemn. Your raison d’etre, eh?
Not much there in Africa by the way of cable TV, sanitation, internet access, Mickey-Dees, and all the other modern conveniences that we take for granted — unless you are rich. God forbid that you need develop callouses or break a sweat trying to eke out a living back in ye olde homeland.
Hmmm… Liberals love to rail against the richest 1, 5, or 10% of Americans and how some of that needs to be redistributed to the poor masses. I submit to you that the richest 1 or perhaps at most 5%, but certainly not 10% of Africans can afford the aforementioned amenities.
So why don’t you take your cherished beliefs and go campaign somewhere in Africa against the institutionalized racism/religion-ism/tribalism that holds the majorities down? Be sure to send us progress reports on your making a difference in social justice.
Another dirty little secret is that most blacks are middle class or rich. The minority live in poverty, but nobody wants to talk about that, especially Hollywood. For every movie that shows any black character as reasonably comfortable or affluent, there’s 19 that show them as a porch-sitting 40-drinking gangsta with rap music constantly playing. And the ones that are portrayed as not being this stereotype are shown as hypocrits, sellouts, mockeries. The ones that are not are portrayed as gangstas that somehow just happen to have a nice job and money despite their position and life.
Or they are Jamaican, the only other stereotype Hollywood and TV know of blacks.
Which brings me to something hilarious: I have Jamaican friends who hate being called African-American. They aren’t from Africa. The last person from Africa in their family was 8 generations ago. The West Africans I know hate the term too, they like being AMERICANS.
Andy writes:
>>>”Cobra, I DARE you to pack up your stuff, store it somewhere and move to Africa and spend a year. Just do it!!!”
LOL! You’re not the first guy to tell me to “Go back to Africa”, and I’m sure you won’t be the last. Especially since I have the nerve to commit the heinous crime of P.T.T.W.B.–”Posting The Truth While Black.”
But, hey…at least you made me smile!
Christopher writes:
>>>”Another dirty little secret is that most blacks are middle class or rich.”
Chris…Oh man…back up thread I thought you wanted to have a serious dialogue. Here you’re trying your hand at the same comedy routines Andy was trying.
>>>”Real per capita income was unchanged between 2000 and 2001 for the
overall population ($22,851), each of the race groups and Hispanics. It
was $26,134 for non-Hispanic Whites; $14,953 for African Americans;
$24,277 for Asians and Pacific Islanders; and $13,003 for Hispanics.”
THE FACTS ABOUT BLACKS
I just hope Andy and Chris don’t take their comedy tour on the road up here. Folks at the Apollo might not give you the response you’d prefer.
–Cobra
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