Posted on 10/31/2001 4:39:20 AM PST by subterfuge
Help FReepers!
Situation: I'm taking a Diversity class and as a humble white male I was sideswiped by the revelation from the instructor and all my class mates agreed that the "good-old white-boy" network exists, which I acknowledged, and that you can't make it to the top in all upper echelon positions in business and the world unless you are white. I replied that many minorities are succeeding today and gave Condaleeza Rice, Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell and even Janet Reno (ick) as examples to which all in the room agreed that they were all tokens. I categorically rejected that in front of the whole class, which is made up of Mexican, Columbian and other South Americans. I know racism exists but seriously, can no minority make it to upper levels of power on merit?
Anyway, what I'm getting at is that I need to do a presentation on anything to do with Global Diversity and I intend to do this on reverse discrimination or something else that puts what we discussed in the proper perspective for my intructor and classmates.
To me it is so obvious they are practicing reverse discrimination. To generalize about ANY race is wrong, and that is what they have done in this case.
And so as not to make myself out to be lilly white, and as I told the class, I respect all people and my life proves that. I have dozens of minority friends including Vietnamese, Puerto Rican, A-Americans, cubans and my son-in-law is from Portugal who I love, FWIW.
So, any articles you guys can post would be greatly appreciated. I'll be leaving for work, so I won't be able to reply for a bit.
Thanks in Advance
God Bless America!!!
Individually, I loved my classmates but when they got together & started in on "The Man", I'd never heard more silly, paranoid claptrap.
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!!! We have a winner. Thats right, the only other white guy in the class is the instructor. I purposely didn't mention that to see if someone would pick up on it.
The guy is a Director at a major power company here in Florida. He's just about to slip into a Vice Prez of Human Resources slot there. But I'm sure he must have only gotten there via the good old white boy network. Yeah, it couldn't have been through hard work since he is white.
SWEEEET!!!
Science is for wusses!
Thanks innocenbystander. I have to take the class, but its my intention to make as much noise about true equality and still get my A. BTW, at my wifes place of employment they have a black Vice President who she knows got there on merit because he is so good at what he does, FWIW.
You aren't going to learn anything by being exposed to the ignorance of your peers.
This is your first problem.
My initial advice would be to ask your teacher, or the class, to define "Diversity". Define it precisely. How can one tell whether a given population, Population A, is "More Diverse" than some other population, Population B?
Ask for a mathematical formula. Insist on it. It is a "class on Diversity", after all, so one would think they will be able to define the term for you.
But they cannot, not without sounding racist. They will not be able to and will dodge all your efforts.
I was sideswiped by the revelation from the instructor and all my class mates agreed that the "good-old white-boy" network exists, which I acknowledged,
What is the definition of "good-old white-boy network"? Ask your teacher for a precise definition.
The simple observation that "lotsa people in power are white and know each other", which is probably true, doesn't exactly prove the existence of some Good-Old White-Boy Network - unless that is how it is defined, of course. In which case the proper response would be, "So what?"
examples to which all in the room agreed that they were all tokens.
The people in your class are being racist and sexist towards Powell, Thomas, Reno, etc. They are looking at those people and calling them "tokens" because of their race. They are being racist; tell them that (if you have the guts ;)
Anyway, what I'm getting at is that I need to do a presentation on anything to do with Global Diversity
Cool, another new term. Again, insist on a definition: what is the precise definition of Global Diversity?
Definitions - with precision - are the key to this whole thing, and to exposing these philosophies for the racist solipsisms that they are.
I intend to do this on reverse discrimination or something else that puts what we discussed in the proper perspective for my intructor and classmates.
First start by dropping the "reverse" bit. There is nothing "reverse" about so-called "reverse discrimination". The term is simply "racial discrimination" ("making a choice or preference on the basis of race" - see how helpful definitions can be? :)
and as I told the class, I respect all people and my life proves that. I have dozens of minority friends including Vietnamese, Puerto Rican, A-Americans, cubans and my son-in-law is from Portugal who I love, FWIW.
This is nice and fine, but you shouldn't have to say things like this in the first place. The moment you start saying stuff like this, you're on the defensive. It is not - and cannot - be a contest to count up your nonwhite friends. Furthermore it is theoretically possible to be white, have only white friends, and still not be racist. The issue is irrelevant.
Whats wrong with being lily white? No one dares criticize being black african or brown mexican or anything other shade of something or other. Anti lily white is pc and racist.
"I respect all people includes bin laden and his murdering buddies. We are afraid to admit that we don't like people because the ones who are not lily white will get a lawyer and a government grant to make us miserable.
White guys need not deny they are white guys or we won't be able to apply at all.
2. Use it every time they bring up the glass ceiling, White power, Only whites are racist, etc.
3. Remind everyone in the class that only white males can be successful in America. All others are doomed, doomed I tell you.
4. Let it slip that you're a spy for "the Organization". You know "the Organization" that really runs everything, solely for the purpose of keeping all non-whites and women down.
I feel compelled to ask the same question. Were you a bad boy telling racist jokes at the water cooler and hanging the Playboy lingerie calender in your cubicle?
Just a suggestion, but you might want to consider just slightly laughing to yourself about every ten minutes or so when you are in this "class". When they ask you what is so funny, just say in a soft whisper, "If you people only knew. Seriouly, I'm not allowed to tell, but if you REALLY only knew."
Might as well play with their minds as much as they want to play with yours.
I made this exact point in the paper I wrote on "reverse discrimination." Its either discrimination or its not.
It is not - and cannot - be a contest to count up your nonwhite friends.
Agreed. I guess through my own brainwashing via the public skool system I am just a little too apologetic.
If my suspicions are correct, the quality of your report will be irrelevant if it attempts to defend whites in any way. Since you are already screwed, you may as well go out with a bang.
How about a report on the double standards of "Hate crimes"? A good starting point would be www.eaif.org.
I'm taking the course because its a requirment for this management degree.
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