Affirmative Action: While in graduate school I had encountered many non-white students. Most of the ones I met were, in fact, from overseas and some were as dark, if not darker, than their American cousins; some Indians, too, were dark-dark, far more so than many mixed-blood American blacks.
Yet these people were not only kicking-ass grade-wise, they were doing prime research, getting great jobs, and didn’t once complain about raaaaaacism.
I compared / contrasted these people with the “affirmative action specials” that I was meeting in the workplace. Many were indoctrinated from the moment of their birth that things were so stacked against them they shouldn’t even try.
Probably the key moment in my shift to opposing affirmative action was when, through work, I tutored black children in the community. A few were genuinely interested in studying, but most – including one 400-pounder super-sized queen – were only killing time. I understand not everyone is a super-genius, but hard work and perseverance can conquer much… and the majority in that crowd lacked even those traits.
Somewhere around that time I read an article discussing the Hmong in Wisconsin: An Asian man arrived with the shirt on his back; a decade or so later he was very successful with a luxury car in his driveway. He was accosted by a black passer-by who said “You’ve been here ten years and have all this?” to which the Asian said “You’ve been here your whole life, how come you don’t?” That was another defining moment in understanding that it was the American black culture, not racism, that held them back....
Labels: Patriot ! |
.png)
Thank you, kind sir!
Can't wait for the spring. Got the girl a .22 Cricket and need to find somewhere to start teaching her how to shoot. Iron sights first. In another couple of years it'll be the boy's turn.
Already getting them acquainted with the edibles in our backyard, such as they are. Personally, I kind of like wood sorrel. Which reminds me, I need to look up lambs quarters. I remember that's a good edible; just not 100% sure what it looks like.
And I am so, so proud: She asked me "What's the most important thing?" I looked at her. "G-d. Family second, and country third." And the other day in the store, having gotten free cookies from the bakery department, the boy said "Daddy, before we can eat we need to say the prayer!" (We have different prayers for different kinds of foods.)