6th September 2006, 9:33 PM
Equality as a statistic is an impossible goal.
And in all reality, the days where the Great White Oligarchy believes, en masse, that every person of a different skin color is a sub-human is long past. Most people are tolerant of one another. As time goes by, that will only get better. Every new generation gets a little more progressive.
The problems come with lowering standards just to meet a statistical demographic. That's not only nonsense in the short-term, but the long-term consequences will be devastating... and probably ignored by the very people instigating them. We already see evidence of this with black people. As their benefits and subsidies grow, their situation grows worse. Unquestionably, affirmative action has proven to be a benefit to some people who really deserve it, but it has also thrust many people into places they aren't even close to qualifying for. If a failing student is passed through their education, then yes, they have successfully graduated. And the moment they go into the real world, they find out what their education has done for them when the land in a job for which, on paper, they meet qualifications, but realistically, they have not learned and mastered the necessary skills, and consequently, they fail when it counts most.
It's why I'm in favor of a merit-based society. Find the best and the brightest and give them the incentives and extra help they might need in order to succeed. Let's face it; not everyone possesses the capacity to excel. A strong society is formed by the brightest and most able. We gain nothing by fooling the incapable and unintuitive into believing they are more than their achievements merit, regardless of their race. There is nothing at all wrong with minorities or women in positions of power. I have worked underneath all kinds. If they are able and competent, they deserve everything they work for. If they are placed there to fill quota and prove incompetent, then everyone has wasted their time.
Such petty concerns over things that cannot be changed, such as race and gender, hold us back, and I believe in my heart of hearts that such things would be much less an issue if they we weren't constantly reminded of them by people who do much damage because they don't augment their good intentions with wisdom and foresight.
And in all reality, the days where the Great White Oligarchy believes, en masse, that every person of a different skin color is a sub-human is long past. Most people are tolerant of one another. As time goes by, that will only get better. Every new generation gets a little more progressive.
The problems come with lowering standards just to meet a statistical demographic. That's not only nonsense in the short-term, but the long-term consequences will be devastating... and probably ignored by the very people instigating them. We already see evidence of this with black people. As their benefits and subsidies grow, their situation grows worse. Unquestionably, affirmative action has proven to be a benefit to some people who really deserve it, but it has also thrust many people into places they aren't even close to qualifying for. If a failing student is passed through their education, then yes, they have successfully graduated. And the moment they go into the real world, they find out what their education has done for them when the land in a job for which, on paper, they meet qualifications, but realistically, they have not learned and mastered the necessary skills, and consequently, they fail when it counts most.
It's why I'm in favor of a merit-based society. Find the best and the brightest and give them the incentives and extra help they might need in order to succeed. Let's face it; not everyone possesses the capacity to excel. A strong society is formed by the brightest and most able. We gain nothing by fooling the incapable and unintuitive into believing they are more than their achievements merit, regardless of their race. There is nothing at all wrong with minorities or women in positions of power. I have worked underneath all kinds. If they are able and competent, they deserve everything they work for. If they are placed there to fill quota and prove incompetent, then everyone has wasted their time.
Such petty concerns over things that cannot be changed, such as race and gender, hold us back, and I believe in my heart of hearts that such things would be much less an issue if they we weren't constantly reminded of them by people who do much damage because they don't augment their good intentions with wisdom and foresight.
YOU CANNOT HIDE FOREVER
WE STAND AT THE DOOR
WE STAND AT THE DOOR