And Bush encouraged what the historic Kerner Commission described as “two societies, one black, one white – separate and unequal,” when he announced his opposition to the University of Michigan’s affirmative action programs in February 2003.Although I am against affirmative action, I do understand why some feel that it is a necessary compensation for the discrimination of the past. However, solving the problem of discrimination by implementing a different form of discrimination has always seemed very counterintuitive to me. The condemnation two societies, one black, one white – separate and unequal directed at the President for standing against affirmative action seems misplaced to me. Do racial preferences bring unity or even equality? Do they not divide us further?That announcement came just days after Bush said this during a Black History Month speech: “By promoting diversity, understanding, and opportunity, we will continue our efforts to build a society where every person, of every race, can realize the promise of America.”
I believe that this policy is damaging to all parties. It hurts those discriminated against by denying them equal access to education and jobs. It can also lead to a backlash against those on the receiving end of the preference. It hurts those who are favored because it reduces expectations which are necessary to pursue and achieve excellence. It also seems like it would be difficult to enjoy success with the nagging possibility that perhaps the college admission or job offer is not based on ability or achievement but on skin color.
All African-Americans would agree that discrimination against blacks is morally wrong and must be eliminated. Yet what logic explains the condemnation of discrimination, except for that directed against another people group? It is not as if all blacks support affirmative action; here are two examples of the exact opposite opinion: LaShawn Barber and Michael King.
I know that to some, Bush's opposition to affirmative action is a reason why African-Americans should not vote for him. Fair enough; but then the article continues with this point:
Even more troubling, Bush confuses diversity with civil rights. He often talks about the diversity of his administration when he’s questioned about his support for civil rights. But diversity is a means, not an end in the ongoing struggle that blacks are waging for civil rights.Knowing the unique qualifications and abilities of Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell, I do not believe that their appointments were merely to provide a rubber stamp of color. However, for the sake of argument, we will for a moment consider this accusation to be true. Imagine that these two are mere tokens and have no real pull within the administration. Assume that there were very qualified individuals who could be serving as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor right now, but they were passed over because of the need to darken the complexion of the inner council.The appointment of blacks to senior positions in his administration is no civil rights victory if they are rubber stamps for policies and actions that roll back civil rights gains.
If this accusation is true, I like what it does to the logic of their argument. They start out by damning the President for opposing affirmative action, and then damn him for implementing it within his cabinet. I read the repeated complaints that civil rights have been lost under this administration but I have never seen any evidence. The only proof offered is statements from the (partisan) Committe on Civil Rights and pointing out the judicial appointments of 'racists' like Pickering. (You really need to click that link if you believe Pickering is a racist.)
The 2000 numbers showed that the black voting bloc is unified and leans strongly toward the Democratic Party. There are some traditional reasons for this as well as several items in their platform; most notably support for affirmative action. Yet, I believe there are several positions held by the Republicans which should be favorable within the black community. Blacks support education vouchers to help their kids survive failing schools. They stand against abortion, which is destroying black children at an alarming rate. They even share Republican views on the sanctity of marriage. The GOP is also very strong on key issues that transcend race – such as National Security.
I do agree with the (original) title of this article: blacks should vote; and whites should too. It doesn't matter what color you are or which candidate you favor - everyone should vote. Well, everyone but non-citizens, felons and maybe dead people.
This is a fascinating tension in liberal thought, though there’s a parallel one in conservative thought, just as there is in both directions with being pro-life and pro-death penalty or pro-choice and anti-death penalty (or consider animal rights and abortion). In all these cases the tension can be resolved, but anyone holding such a position better have thought about how, or they risk contradiction. I’ve discussed the affirmative action tension myself here.
I have stated elsewhere on this blog that the problem the Republican Party has with African-American voters is not an issues question, but a historical one.
The embrace of the Dixiecrats and segregationists by the Republicans in order to dominate the South has been a major black mark against the Party in the eyes of many African-Americans.
Yes, there are black Republicans and conservatives, but at the same time, I do not believe that the GOP will make significant inroads into the community until they reconcile over what is fairly recent history.
The “Big Tent” idea that the Republicans have so often talked about recently embodies a kind of historical amnesia—that the historical treatment of minorities by the Republican Party doesn’t really have a role in today’s politics. It does. It does. It does.
A number of years ago, the Southern Baptist Convention apologized for slavery. I think the Republican Party needs to the same thing—not to assign blame and point fingers, but to reconcile and accept accountability.
A kind of truth and reconcilation process looking at this history would do much to build good will with the African-American community. However, white conservatives often do the complete opposite and deny the long lasting effects that racisim and oppression have upon a people and a culture. The attitude of “why can’t you just get over it?” is callous and denies culpability that White America has profited from racism. Since us white people often benefited from oppression, do we have the right to tell the oppressed to get over it?
I believe that institutions also do sin and need to ask for forgiveness. To accept responsibility for the likes of Barry Goldwater and Strom Thurmond will help bridge the gap between the Republican party and many African-Americans.
Now at the same time, I’m not saying that the Democrats are without sin either, but the issue of race is something that continues to challenge the Republican Party. For their own good, they need deal with this issue.
The most interesting part of the equation is that history actually favors the Republican party (link). From Lincoln to the series of Constitutional amendments and Civil Rights acts, it was Republicans who were on the correct side.
The evil Dixicrats were mostly Democrats at the time, although Dixie has changed over time and is now almost completely Republican.
What this means is that the Republicans have to overcome history, but only recent history. Still, that is the kind of history which is fresh and more difficult to overcome.
Recent history? How about the senior Democratic Senator from West Virginia, Robert Byrd, who is a “retired” Klansman (yes, the real Klu Klux Klan)? How about the higher percentage of Democrats than Republicans who voted against the Civil Rights Act? How about the liberal Planned Parenthood, that carries out the racial eugenics dreams of Margaret Sanger by targeting African American communities with their abortion campaigns? African Americans were used for hundreds of years by the Democratic Party controlled South and are still used today by the Party and self-promoters like Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton. If African Americans want a political party that respects them as equals, they should look to the Republican Party where they stand as leaders in the most important positions in the Republican Administration.
http://king-of-fools.com/blog/trackback/1359/WLZ7XcO2/