Re: Social Engineering (was: Different patriarchy Model)
PioneerTom (pioneertom@aol.com)
24 Dec 1994 22:16:12 -0500
Richard rspear@primenet.com Writes:
"Your comments begin to smell a bit ..."... leaving the carousing at an
early
hour" (something *all* whites do and no African Americans, huh?). Pioneer
Tom, I think that you wish to deny that there has been any unequal
distribution of opportunity based upon race, and that a "level playing
field" is all that we need, and the worthy will progress, regardless of
race, gender, etc. That's bunk, my friend."
Please note my actual phrasing.
" This sort of epithet was commonly used against young co-workers of mine
who made sure they got to work on time, by leaving the carousing of an
evening at an early hour. It was unfortunately supported by much of the
"radical black leaders" rhetoric, and was very damaging to the education
and carreers of many who did give in to it."
I will admit that in my rush I did not specify that many of those
co-workers were white as well as black. Being "too white", or "hopelessly
bourgiose" on many 60's campuses was a real social
impediment to anyone. I was accused of being a "Young Republican" once
for just leaving an over-ripe bull session!
I would never say that coercion has not been used to deny many people
the opportunities they had every right to. I do say that the coercive
measures that used government to impose more coercion on society, in order
to "right the balance" were worse than fruitless, they have degraded
the situation.
You also wrote:
"Maybe the admonition should have been "You don't have to be like your
white bosses ..." or, "You don't have to be like the white upper class
...", but noooo, youth there also partied hearty well into the night.
You don't have to emulate the people (whatever their skin color) who
have some, by gaining a higher business position, demonstrated ability to
produce for and profit from society? That is an example of the classist
biggotry that set up many for a fall during the last 30 years! The "white
upper class" had many offspring who "partied hearty", you're right. A
horrible proportion of those people are now wondering why they aren't
nearly as well off as they, and their "upper class" parents, expected.
Sure, some got by anyway, and yes the changes in the marketplace have been
rapid, but the refusal to aquire the basic skills needed in the
marketplace is almost as damaging to the advancement of a scion of the
"upper classes" as to the child of the poorest black (latino, hmong, ...)
ghetto dweller.
Please do not impute attitudes to me that I have fought all my life.
Tom Billings
pioneertom@aol.com
|