Race 4

At the end of Race 2 I listed four things that should be considered about the national anti racism policies of the last half century.   In future posts I will offer my thoughts on each of them.  Today III.

From Race 2.   I believe that the argument for special treatment because of prior oppression is valid and sufficient, because I see no other way to overcome the results of the prior treatment. 

.....  III.   a.  Will there be special interest groups that grow up around the protected classes?     
        b.  If so, how will you deal with them?


I would say that the answer is yes there will be.  How will it happen?  The NAACP and established membership organizations elect representatives who have a right to be considered as leaders of the protected groups from which their membership comes.  Their significance should be based on the number of members in the organization.  However much you may support the purpose of such organizations there is one simple fact that ought to be kept in mind.   Their purpose is to promote the interests of their protected group.  Considering the advantages that come from being a protected group it should be obvious that the group will attempt at all cost to maintain the existence of protected groups in general and, in particular, of the protected status of their group. They will then have a vested interest in maintaining the view that we are a racist society.  Any claim that we have made progress on that problem will be met with vigorous disagreement.

Another way the leadership of those protected classes is designated is by other forces.  For example, who elected Al Sharpton as a leader of the black community?  or Jesse Jackson for that matter?  The answer is that the media did. These folks could, and some say that they do, pick a business or organization and warn them of racism in their organization and solicit donations to their special racism fighting organizations.  The business can then prove their lack of racism by contributing to the charity.  This, if it exists, is extortion and should be treated as such.

What can be done about this?
Again, at some point, replace advantages that are based on  race with advantages that are based on poverty. If the current protected class is still being oppressed, then it should show up in high poverty figures group and they will still be helped.

What is the point in time at which we could do this?  Maybe now.

However, we should for sure say now that there will be a time when this will end.  That we will not, on a long term basis, be a nation whose operations are based on race.

"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race."  Chief Justice John Roberts, 2007