Given our polarized politics, many assume because somebody supports or refutes a given claim of one political party then that person must unconditionally refute or support the other party. Many assume because I criticize Republicans or "conservatives" so often then I must be a Democrat or a "liberal".
I find it very easy to find fault with current Republican, so-called "conservative" positions. There are so many inconsistencies and contradictions that it surprises me that any educated person would support the party. Unless he or she had some personal gain from the corporate line parroted by the current Republican Party. It is so ironic that Republicans and the Tea Party especially, claim to follow the intent of the "Founding Fathers". Well, the "Founding Fathers" were very much concerned about factions working against the common good. If you have a week or two or three, read the Federalist Papers. You can find it at http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/18 and choose your format.
On the other hand, I do not actively or even willingly embrace all "liberal" positions. I find many people who call themselves liberal rather "conservative", that is holding to a position without consideration of nuance or contradictions. For example, I have taken issue with the "Unfair" campaign. Although the proponents deny it, their campaign implies a sweeping generalization, just the kind of generalization that they are fighting against when directed against people who are not "white". Also, I think the "Occupy" movement confuses "freedom of assembly" with "freedom to camp out".
The latest ruckus that I have been skeptical of is the supposedly ill-treatment of workers at Foxconn plants in China. It was reminiscent of the know-nothings who claimed that Soviet and Chinese workers were "chained to their benches". Well, those who reported the claims against Foxconn are now having second thoughts about these claims. See "'Significant Fabrications': Apple Critic Mike Daisey Under Fire".
Showing posts with label unfair campaign. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unfair campaign. Show all posts
Monday, March 19, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Diversity Revisited
In reviewing yesterday's use of my blog and web site, I saw that there were three hits on http://www.cpinternet/~mdmagree.diversity_2001-03-08.html. It's web title is "I Hate Diversity" and was originally published in the Reader Weekly as "One little, two little, three little Representatives" almost eleven years ago.
I didn't write it against diversity itself; my whole life has been diverse in the people I've known. I wrote it against the bean counter approach to diversity; there has to be so many women, so many people of color, so many … I don't give two hoots whether the people I associate with are purple or orange.
Time for a diversionary chuckle. I think Bill Cosby told this story. A school bus driver got tired of the squabbling between white and black kids. He stopped the bus and told each kid alternately that they were purple or orange, independently of their skin color. When done he went to the front of the bus and told all the orange kids to go to the back of the bus.
Maybe you think this is just another example of racism. I think it is a good example of the arbitrariness of people who make judgments based on skin color or other external, non-relevant factors. "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Who I am interested in are people who share some of my interests. Not lock step agreement, but enough overlap that we can have a pleasant conversation. This was highlighted by a chance meeting at our neighborhood bus stop.
When we arrived at our neighborhood bus stop, a black gentleman was waiting in the shelter. I had never seen him before. We said "Good morning" and he replied equally cheerfully. The three of us started a conversation. When the bus arrived, my wife got on the bus and the other man and I still in conversation got into a "Aprés vous, Gaston! Mais non, aprés vous, Alphonse" moment. Then I realized I should be following my wife and got on.
We continued our conversation to our stop. It was mostly about a lecture we had attended last night; he had wanted to go but had another commitment.
My wife knew him by reputation, but I don't think I had ever heard of him before.
I looked him up on the web this afternoon, and no surprise, I learned he had a different take on the "Unfair" campaign. I don't care; he's an interesting person and I hope to meet him again at the next lecture in the series. I won't give you his name; I don't want to embarrass him.
I didn't write it against diversity itself; my whole life has been diverse in the people I've known. I wrote it against the bean counter approach to diversity; there has to be so many women, so many people of color, so many … I don't give two hoots whether the people I associate with are purple or orange.
Time for a diversionary chuckle. I think Bill Cosby told this story. A school bus driver got tired of the squabbling between white and black kids. He stopped the bus and told each kid alternately that they were purple or orange, independently of their skin color. When done he went to the front of the bus and told all the orange kids to go to the back of the bus.
Maybe you think this is just another example of racism. I think it is a good example of the arbitrariness of people who make judgments based on skin color or other external, non-relevant factors. "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Who I am interested in are people who share some of my interests. Not lock step agreement, but enough overlap that we can have a pleasant conversation. This was highlighted by a chance meeting at our neighborhood bus stop.
When we arrived at our neighborhood bus stop, a black gentleman was waiting in the shelter. I had never seen him before. We said "Good morning" and he replied equally cheerfully. The three of us started a conversation. When the bus arrived, my wife got on the bus and the other man and I still in conversation got into a "Aprés vous, Gaston! Mais non, aprés vous, Alphonse" moment. Then I realized I should be following my wife and got on.
We continued our conversation to our stop. It was mostly about a lecture we had attended last night; he had wanted to go but had another commitment.
My wife knew him by reputation, but I don't think I had ever heard of him before.
I looked him up on the web this afternoon, and no surprise, I learned he had a different take on the "Unfair" campaign. I don't care; he's an interesting person and I hope to meet him again at the next lecture in the series. I won't give you his name; I don't want to embarrass him.
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