[PEN-L:8821] Re: racism

[Rod Hay <rodhay@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

----Original Message Follows----
Jim

It is difficult for me to say much about affirmative action since it is a US
programme of which I don't know the details. I also am not familiar with the
economic situation for minority groups (except for some broad
generalizations), or the educational situation. I am told that the racial
situation in some parts of the US is as bad as anywhere in the world. But my
knowledge is limited to clips on the news.

There is racism in Canada, but except for the native people there are is
little segregation. All the school districts receive comparable financing.
The private school system is very small. And believe it or not no economic
studies can find any significance for "self-identified race" in determining
income.

Canada's treatment of native people is scandalous but otherwise there
appears to be no widespread identifiable systematic racism, at present
(historically it is a different stories) Affirmative action programmes are
not needed here. If the federal government would simply live up to its
treaty obligations to the natives, that situation would be much better as
well.

That said, my belief is (correct me if I am wrong) that affirmative action
programmes were of marginal importance, serving mainly as a symbol for both
sides in the debate. That things like the Head Start programme were much
more successful.

I would campaign strongly against government money or tax breaks to private
schools. I would campaign strongly for more money to be spent on the early
education of every one who needs it, and equalization of school funding over
districts, perhaps (if possibly under the constitution) over the country. I
would campaign for a broadening of the curriculum so that people of
different backgrounds would feel more comfortable in the school system. And
I would insist that children from an earlier age be indoctrinated with idea
that race is a stupid idea. The trick is to meet the needs of the kids
without anyone feeling left out. One of the problems with affirmative action
programmes is that poor "whites" see them and say "What about us? Nobody in
my family ever went to university, either." This makes them vulnerable to
right wing racist appeals against the 'special interests.' A
disproportionate number of "black" kids have extra needs that should be met.
Appeal to the need rather than the colour of the skin. This should provide
the basis for an alliance from common need of all the poor.



From: Jim Devine <jdevine@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: pen-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


On these questions, I think it's best to avoid excessive abstraction. So
Rod, what does your view mean _in practice_ for programs such as
affirmative action? (BTW, I am not talking about quotas, which are just one
form of aff. action.)





Rod Hay
rodhay@xxxxxxxxxxx
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