Spring Break
What is "Positive Discrimination" Anyway?
Michael Walsh (OJ), Viewpoints Editor
Issue date: 11/13/06 Section: Viewpoints & Humor
Neil and Jonathan also debated the relative merits of homogenization and individualism. While both made strong arguments, it seems to me that homogenization and individualism are not mutually exclusive.
I have generally thought of the United States as a melting pot; people from many different backgrounds come in, but all come out as Americans. Ultimately, I see the ideal as a situation where every person is judged based on their character, not stereotyped based on their race, sexual preference, looks, etc. I thought this is what Neil was getting at when he talked about "homogenization," although perhaps that term was a little misleading. I think a better word is multiculturalism. In the ideal American melting pot, cultural heritage would be celebrated but it would nonetheless be in the background. And people from different races and backgrounds would be scattered throughout the suburbs and workforce.
In contrast, an example of a bad situation I saw while living Europe was a town where the majority of the Europeans lived in the beautiful old town while the majority of middle-eastern immigrants lived in a satellite town. Such a system divided the community and lead to racial tensions and misunderstandings.
To me multiculturalism means one America and many individuals, with each individual being judged on their character, not on their race. From this viewpoint, one of the important considerations is: what creates multiculturalism? And how can ethnic ghettos be avoided? The debate about whether homogenization or individualism is better becomes largely a moot point.
A dimension of the debate that I found interesting was the difference between the law and social realities. While the law can provide for equal rights, and goes even further with affirmative action, equality may not necessarily be the result. Addressing the social realities requires change in individual behavior, not just laws. And that requires grassroots change and engagement between communities.
I have generally thought of the United States as a melting pot; people from many different backgrounds come in, but all come out as Americans. Ultimately, I see the ideal as a situation where every person is judged based on their character, not stereotyped based on their race, sexual preference, looks, etc. I thought this is what Neil was getting at when he talked about "homogenization," although perhaps that term was a little misleading. I think a better word is multiculturalism. In the ideal American melting pot, cultural heritage would be celebrated but it would nonetheless be in the background. And people from different races and backgrounds would be scattered throughout the suburbs and workforce.
In contrast, an example of a bad situation I saw while living Europe was a town where the majority of the Europeans lived in the beautiful old town while the majority of middle-eastern immigrants lived in a satellite town. Such a system divided the community and lead to racial tensions and misunderstandings.
To me multiculturalism means one America and many individuals, with each individual being judged on their character, not on their race. From this viewpoint, one of the important considerations is: what creates multiculturalism? And how can ethnic ghettos be avoided? The debate about whether homogenization or individualism is better becomes largely a moot point.
A dimension of the debate that I found interesting was the difference between the law and social realities. While the law can provide for equal rights, and goes even further with affirmative action, equality may not necessarily be the result. Addressing the social realities requires change in individual behavior, not just laws. And that requires grassroots change and engagement between communities.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
George Iliev
posted 12/30/06 @ 5:20 PM EST
The truth is over there!!!Here is what I saw about postive discrimination or affirmative action when I visited the University of Southern Mississippi web-site/http://www. (Continued…)
George606
George Iliev
posted 12/30/06 @ 5:26 PM EST
Sorry-Imade a mistake-I had a mind WHITE man.
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