One of those things

[fredericks]

I'm on My LJ, arguably the best bit of revamping the Goat people have done (although 100 icons for paid users is plenty nifty as well), checking to see if someone on my FL has a birthday coming up and, as I'm wont to do, I look over the random user entry. What I find is this wonderfully eloquent post on dealing with a relationship that has ended and how powerful relationships never really end. I'm reading it and I'm nodding to myself, saying "yes, EXACTLY, this is just how I felt when X Y Z" and I'm literally moved to tears at one point (I really have been crying entirely too much lately; I have no idea what's come over me). So before I reply and tell this person how wonderful I thought their entry curiosity moves to check out the gentleman's user information. I find the usual pseudo-deep musing and then, in the middle of all of it, this line: [l]ost my spot at Yale to an underpriviledged minority with a BMW. I'm not bitter, of course. I paraphrase the last sentence slightly, but I'll never forget that first one. It dun smacked me in the jaw. That and his libertarian and conservative republican interests clued me in - yup, dude's an ass. Or, to clean that up - he and I have completely different views on the world. *ahem*

Comments

[eleventyteen.livejournal.com]

Why would this guy be bitter about the one black kid with a BMW "taking" his spot when thousands of white people took spots that could have been his too? People automatically assume that its minorities are unqualified and got a boost to get in, never mind all the unqualified white kids who got in because of money or relatives, or the fact that they weigh in favor of public school education, even though a private school kid's raw stats might be better. Put together, they by far outnumber the black kids who got in "because they're black".

Not to mention, minority status doesn't automatically guarantee admission or even close to it. The black kids who get in are more than qualified to learn at the school. For those who don't already have it, they take into account the fact that blacks are less likely to have access to the extra resources that give highly qualified candidates that extra edge, like private schools or better public schools because of the way funding is distributed.

The system isn't perfect, but something that few people will openly admit, is that ususally, for a black person and a white person of a similar position, standing in the same place, the black person had to fight harder for it.

[brooklynknight.livejournal.com]

I disagree. I belive that TODAY, if a black and white person are equally qualified for a job, and the black guy doesnt get it, all he has to do is cry descrimination, and if that company doesnt happen to have a large amount of minorities working there he'll win even if racism wasnt involved.

Affirmative Action was a START. It opened doors and paved highways, but its time to phase it out and to leave society to its own ways. If people dont learn to tolerate one another without being forced too..then we as a society dont deserve to exist.

Just ask the Cylons....

Hmm

[keeni84.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

Just last year there was a study done in New York City that said businesses hired white, male, ex-cons who'd just gotten out of prison over black men with no prison record.

Black men with no criminal record were given callbacks at HALF the rate of white men with criminal records.

I love how you say that all a black guy has to do is "cry racism"...as if he has nothing better to do. What? We all sit around with our non-qualified asses trying to get jobs at Fortune 500 companies? THAT DOESNT HAPPEN.

WHO IS GOING TO APPLY FOR A JOB THEY ARENT QUALIFIED FOR???????

Get this: Affirmative Action gives people WITH EQUAL QUALIFICATIONS the same chance.

I don't know what you people heard about Affirmative Action, but I don't know WHERE you got the whole "unqualified" bit. Maybe it's because of your OWN prejudices that make you think that black people are unqualified for the positions they apply for.

People like you make me sick--NO REALLY.

Re: Hmm

[brooklynknight.livejournal.com]

Listen, calm the fuck down ok? People apply for jobs they arent qualified for all the time. All people of all races do it.

Affirmative Action is supposed to give people with equal qualifications the same chance but it doesnt. It gives minorities a BETTER chance be it they are equally qualified or not.

I'd like to you to link this study to back up your "facts". And even if they are true, affirmative action wont fix that. Forcing someone to hire an individual they dont want only creates resentment, hostile work enviroments and more racism.

I'm not making generalizations about all black people. I'm talking about specific situations. With specific circumstances. I'm intentionally trying to be narrow in what I say because I DONT want to generalize because none of this is true across the board.

I'm entitled to my opinion and my opinion doesnt make me prejiduced or racist. I want true equality for everyone. I dont want things to be forced. People need to stop viewing the world as white and black and brown and slanty eyed.

As far as I'm concerned the only shit that stuff is good for is a comedy routine. Stereotypes can be true, and some are, but that doesnt make them right, and that doesnt mean society should reinforce them.

If you wanna be angry at me because I want to be on equal footing with you, go ahead. You're the one propegating racism and hate.

Re: Hmm

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Annnnnd this exhange stops here.

Let's stop, shall we?

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Do you think someone is going to take your points seriously if you end with People like you make me sick--NO REALLY. Not to mention all the shouting in your comment. I understand if you're angry about something that may have been said, but internet shouting isn't going to accomplish anything. The study you mentioned is very interesting, btw.

Re: Let's stop, shall we?

[fightingwords.livejournal.com]

aww, well check that out--you had a cuddly widdle bigot hanging out in your friends list and didn't even realize it. i hate stealth racism.