More than ever, it appears that the agencies and systems in place that should protect the weakest of us don’t. After they fail, there are no consequences nor are there any other avenues of recourse for average citizens to take. Two stories dropped today that, although they appear unrelated, are symptoms of the same problem.
Wow! You continue to educate and inspire me with your keyboard tapping!
Thomas is confused, and more importantly compromised. He’s been welcomed into the fold by wealthy, powerful white Americans because of his position, not because of his race. Thomas would have us believe that somehow these folks have morphed from a caterpillar to a butterfly. In reality, if Thomas worked in the produce department at Kroger, it is unlikely a billionaire would offer to pay his nephew’s $72,000 yearly tuition or that he would have been accepted at that Hidden Lake Academy. Affirmative Action is designed to give everyone a seat at the table, an opportunity to be included in the discussion and for their voices to be heard. For one of the most powerful, influential black men in America to say that’s no longer important or needed is troubling.
Regarding law enforcement, we struggle in this country holding the police accountable. I lived through the killing of Breonna Taylor in my hometown of Louisville. The officers involved (for the most part) were found guilty of state and Federal charges and will spend a considerable amount of time in prison. It’s a black eye from which the city will never recover. Many times, officers involved in questionable line-of-duty shootings are cleared of wrongdoing. Regarding the events at MSDHS, inaction was just as costly. I wasn’t on the jury and didn’t hear the judge’s instruction so I won’t blame the jurors. It’s most likely Florida law that shielded the officer. Nevertheless, if you wear the badge, they are certain expectations from those you serve. Most law enforcement officers are dedicated to the people and communities they serve and will stop at nothing to protect both.
Well organized and thoughtful commentary despite being a rant in style.
If I was a university head, I would stop advertising on my website that admissions uses race as a partial determinate of acceptance but in fact continue to use it. In some ways the Supreme Court's decision makes saying the use of racial criteria are being used illegal, but it can in no way stop them from actually being used.
Similarly their decision against the legality of abortion, means it cannot be done in open commerce, but it will now be done through illicit commerce.
We measure our society as a whole in part by what we consider legal and what do not. Clearly we are taking many steps back from our ideals and lessons of the civil rights movement in particular. But people flout the law all the time in many circumstances especially when it seems unfair or they can simply get away with it. Very few people drive at or under the speed limit at most times. I think admissions departments if they are smart will change their procedures in writing but no so much in actual results if in fact they want to keep their current student body diversity.
Seriously, that was heartfelt, appropriate and well articulated. You are just a bit verbose but then again, so am I!
The comparison you make between our failed officer Scot and our failed court officers SCROTUS is more than merely apt. It feels like a lot of institutions we thought inviolate, are far weaker than any would have previously appreciated.
The rot goes from the top down and our society has now been sorely afflicted by this poison. The trumpian years added fuel to an already smoldering flame and viola! Here we are.
Word count for the sake of word count bores me. You had content on your side! I agree that A, G, R, and C-B are all compromised. Thomas was in the forefront of my thoughts after reading his 57 page (talking about word count!) concurring opinion and the animus he directed at KBJ. No love lost between those two. I agree that throwing the baby out with the bath water serves no purpose in the realm of Affirmative Action. I view it more as an acknowledgement that a systemic problem exists than a constitutional infringement. So, yes! Fix it, don’t kill it.
Wow! You continue to educate and inspire me with your keyboard tapping!
Thomas is confused, and more importantly compromised. He’s been welcomed into the fold by wealthy, powerful white Americans because of his position, not because of his race. Thomas would have us believe that somehow these folks have morphed from a caterpillar to a butterfly. In reality, if Thomas worked in the produce department at Kroger, it is unlikely a billionaire would offer to pay his nephew’s $72,000 yearly tuition or that he would have been accepted at that Hidden Lake Academy. Affirmative Action is designed to give everyone a seat at the table, an opportunity to be included in the discussion and for their voices to be heard. For one of the most powerful, influential black men in America to say that’s no longer important or needed is troubling.
Regarding law enforcement, we struggle in this country holding the police accountable. I lived through the killing of Breonna Taylor in my hometown of Louisville. The officers involved (for the most part) were found guilty of state and Federal charges and will spend a considerable amount of time in prison. It’s a black eye from which the city will never recover. Many times, officers involved in questionable line-of-duty shootings are cleared of wrongdoing. Regarding the events at MSDHS, inaction was just as costly. I wasn’t on the jury and didn’t hear the judge’s instruction so I won’t blame the jurors. It’s most likely Florida law that shielded the officer. Nevertheless, if you wear the badge, they are certain expectations from those you serve. Most law enforcement officers are dedicated to the people and communities they serve and will stop at nothing to protect both.
Well organized and thoughtful commentary despite being a rant in style.
If I was a university head, I would stop advertising on my website that admissions uses race as a partial determinate of acceptance but in fact continue to use it. In some ways the Supreme Court's decision makes saying the use of racial criteria are being used illegal, but it can in no way stop them from actually being used.
Similarly their decision against the legality of abortion, means it cannot be done in open commerce, but it will now be done through illicit commerce.
We measure our society as a whole in part by what we consider legal and what do not. Clearly we are taking many steps back from our ideals and lessons of the civil rights movement in particular. But people flout the law all the time in many circumstances especially when it seems unfair or they can simply get away with it. Very few people drive at or under the speed limit at most times. I think admissions departments if they are smart will change their procedures in writing but no so much in actual results if in fact they want to keep their current student body diversity.
You writ reel gud cJ.
Seriously, that was heartfelt, appropriate and well articulated. You are just a bit verbose but then again, so am I!
The comparison you make between our failed officer Scot and our failed court officers SCROTUS is more than merely apt. It feels like a lot of institutions we thought inviolate, are far weaker than any would have previously appreciated.
The rot goes from the top down and our society has now been sorely afflicted by this poison. The trumpian years added fuel to an already smoldering flame and viola! Here we are.
Word count for the sake of word count bores me. You had content on your side! I agree that A, G, R, and C-B are all compromised. Thomas was in the forefront of my thoughts after reading his 57 page (talking about word count!) concurring opinion and the animus he directed at KBJ. No love lost between those two. I agree that throwing the baby out with the bath water serves no purpose in the realm of Affirmative Action. I view it more as an acknowledgement that a systemic problem exists than a constitutional infringement. So, yes! Fix it, don’t kill it.