There are some realities we all must recognize and appreciate. People generally feel more comfortable with people who are like them. Granted, there are exceptions. I have no problem with this reality, which may explain by white business associate in Shade’s example was more successful in attracting business. Now the question that has been overlooked by that example, is whether Shade’s friend practiced a form of Affirmative Action. It sounds as if the white business associate was hired partly because of his race. Some may call this discrimination (which it’s not), and others may call it smart business. What’s the difference? Did race play a factor in the hiring decision? The answer would appear to be yes. Was it a smart decision? That answer would also appear to be yes.

As an employer, you have to know you customers and clients. If you are attempting to cultivate business in a white dominated field or demographic, you may do well in hiring a white business associate. If you were cultivating business in the Hispanic community, you may do well to hire a Hispanic employee. This could be true for any race. My point is that race will always be a factor in the business. Not from the standpoint of who gets hired or a promotion. But from the standpoint of who gets the client or customer.

Is there such a thing as reverse discrimination. Sure. But it does not happen as often as whites protest. On the other hand, whites do benefit from having whites making the decision.

Like many blacks growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, I was taught to be better and work harder than anyone else, not just white folks. But it was explained to me that working harder was not just a selfish pursuit, but was necessary to make sure that another black person could follow in your footsteps. My mentors have told me that if you fail to do your best, you make that much more difficult for the next black person in that company.

The interesting thing about the adage “work twice as hard” is that Christians should perform to their best level everyday. In reflection on what I have learned and seen, we don’t need to work twice as hard, we simply need to do our best everyday. This includes white, black, asians, hispanics, etc. If we do so, God will take care of the rest.

My philosophy is leave it alone. Forget race as an indicator of anything. Wasn’t this the message of MLK in the first place? The more we try to correct the problem by being hyper-sensitive, the worse we make it.

While that argument could be used “Couldn’t it be that AA is often an excuse used for whites who fail? ” The reverse could also be used as an argument as to why black people fail. Lets take a look at a scenario. A white man and a black man apply for a job. The black man is more qualified yet he does not get hired. The white man was hired, flat out, because he was white.
I know and understand this was a common practice, and I will be the first to say that is WRONG!

Scenario with AA, a black man and white man apply for the same job, the white man is more qualified, yet the black man is hired. Again, he was hired because he was black. And again, I say this is WRONG!

It was wrong, back in the day, it is wrong today. I’ve always been taught to treat all people equal. Which is why I had no second thoughts on dating and marrying a black woman.

AA = legal descrimination = descrimination.

dt

ay when the white man got a job over a black man who was more qualified

As a personal observer, I can tell you that this is not the case, especially since it is my friend who taught the guy the ropes. The guy brought a white face to the business and response was positive. It was a good business move made by a smart man.

You attribute it all to race, but perhaps it is a fact that your friend is his own worst business enemy.

Again, I can say through personal observation that this is not the case. The business is striving based 100% on his decisions including the decision at the beginning to use a white employee for what basically amounted to public relations.

This reminds me of when I played ball under a mostly black coaching staff. We had a couple of white assistant coaches and it was always one of them who was sent on recruiting trips because potential recruits tended to respond more positively to a white face.

Either he can cut it or not. If he and you are always looking for race, you will certainly always find it as a handy excuse for failure. Pathetic.

Interesting. I have post graduate degrees. I have a well paying profession, a private office, kids in private schools, a large house with a big back yard, a wonderful marriage, etc. etc. I couldn’t have excuses for failure since I have never failed. Likewise, my friend’s business is striving based on his decisions. What excuses are you talking about?

Let me ask something regarding the folks above who are claiming to be victims of AA. Have you asked them if it is possible that the blacks who got jobs ahead of them have talents that they don’t have? Couldn’t it be that AA is often an excuse used for whites who fail?

La Shawn Barber has a post about black leadership (both public and self-), and the old-school work ethic among black people. Don’t miss the wide-ranging comment thread….

Perhaps your friend made the best of choices. Perhaps the employee has talents your friend does not possess. You attribute it all to race, but perhaps it is a fact that your friend is his own worst business enemy. Certaintly his business aura is in no way affected by who his friends are. Either he can cut it or not. If he and you are always looking for race, you will certainly always find it as a handy excuse for failure. Pathetic.

I am a white male who works for IBM. I can attest to affirmative action impacting me negatively. I can definitely say that AA has benefited minorities, and created a fast path to management that I as a white male do not have the privilege of. We have special management programs specifically for minorities and women. Many that take advantage of these programs are Asian, Indian and women. So I do feel like this is reverse dissemination and I don’t like it. Now don’t call me racist because I feel this way, but this is my experience, in that if I was a woman, black, Asian, or Indian (I’m not referring to native American), It would be easier for me to move into management. Again, don’t call me racist, my wife is black, children are bi-racial, but I’m telling you the reality of the situation. I believe in what Martin Luther King Jr said … “one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. ” With affirmative action, we continue to judge based on skin tone.

Dt

In pretty much all of the numerous studies on discrimination conducted by such groups as the Fair Employment Council, the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Urban Institute, the Justice Department, etc. etc., it has been demonstrated by testers that when individuals with identical qualifications apply for employment, loans, rental property, etc., white applicants are significantly treated more favorably than black and Hispanic applicants.

With regards to low level jobs, a Princeton study in New York revealed that black applicants without criminal records are no more likely to get a job than white applicants just out of prison and that young white high school graduates were about TWICE as likely to receive positive responses from New York employers as equally qualified black job seekers.

Affirmative action is simply a token and flawed attempt to offset the above trends and a good way for liberals to pander to mainstream black activists. One would be surprised with the amount of debate within the black community with regards to the need for affirmative action, the dependence on government, whether racism is exaggerated, how liberals have affected blacks, and so on. There is one thing that I know would be unanimous. The notion that white Americans have to work twice as hard as blacks to make it in this country would unanimously be considered a joke.

I was told by my father that a black man must be better than a white man to have equal success (I am LaShawn’s age). I likewise tell this to my sons. It’s unfortunate that these are the circumstances, but you have to do what you have to do. Excuses won’t overcome any obstacles.

Since we are pointing out personal experiences, I have a good friend who started his own business some years ago. For years, he struggled with gaining clients. His business involved him actively interacting with potential business. After limited success, he tried something different. He hired a white male assistant and had him to front as the head man. This assistant was assigned to solicit business among other things and business suddenly skyrocketed. This situation is quite telling. But you have to do what you have to do.

You may e-mail me to discuss further, if you wish. – Admin