~Let me start with an apology.
It was not my intent to insinuate in any way that the author of The Thinking Housewife is a racist. If I have done that, then I was wrong. I believe we, as thinking people, can disagree on major issues and that it in no way reflects that those we disagree with are evil. We simply disagree. Laura, I apologize if my post was offensive or insulting to you.
~You guys really floored me with your response to my last post. It was one of those posts where I wasn't expecting many comments. Devotional type posts rarely draw a lot of response. It was hastily written and I initially thought it just a confusing bit of rambling about how much I have to be thankful for and how often I forget to be thankful. Your comments simply underscored what I have come to believe: We are more alike than different, because humanity really is a shared experience. Speaking of being more alike than different:
~I prefer my racism straight up, which is one of the reasons my views evolved into what many would call conservative. I have recently come to view my thoughts as plain 'ol common sense and a belief that all men are created equal. One of the things you run into as a minority in high school preparing for college is that many colleges have a lower admission standard for students of certain ethnic backgrounds in an effort to promote diversity and meet certain enrollment ratio guidelines. The problem? Black and Latino students are the students usually targeted to receive this "benefit." Asian students, not so much. I've often said I'd rather you just call me a stupid nigger and be done with it than to condescend to me and imply that I am a special case in need of a leg up based solely on my skin color. And don't do it to my kids either. They are not inherently less intelligent than anyone else.
~While we're on the subject of education, can I take a minute to applaud a couple of single, homeschooling mamas? Now, I don't know that I would ever be brave enough to take on this challenge as a single parent (in fact I'm fairly certain I would not), but these ladies do, and I want to take my hat off to them, as well as to the one real life single mother I am acquainted with who home schooled her son to completion. Hats off to Diane, at Tomato Soup Cake. She is the consummate homemaker, and I've gotten lots of inspiration from her blog from that perspective as well. Hats of to Kysha as well, at Loves School. You ladies absolutely astound me.
~I have been paying far less attention to politics lately. I am finding much more peace as I focus on my Heavenly Father and His word. Still, I am not oblivious to the world around me and I was frankly, stunned, to learn that the health care bill almost died in the House of Representatives because there were not enough Democrats willing to sign on for federally funded abortions. This is an interesting and hopeful development. I wouldn't be surprised if, in the end, the whole health care debate falls apart on this sticking point.While I never thought that was possible, I am thankful that the issue is taking center stage. I heard about Baby Gabby, born when her mother was just 4 months pregnant, and now she is thriving. This story made me wonder why the tenor of this debate hasn't changed, given the medical knowledge and technical advancements we now enjoy? If the people of this country are decidedly pro-choice, why are we having a discussion that is not intellectually honest? Can we honestly say, whatever side of the issue you fall on, that life doesn't begin until a baby is born? Why are we pretending that this is not about killing babies, but about a woman's right to decide if she should be forced to carry a fetus (which may or may not be a real person) inside of her to term and deliver it? If we have medical evidence that these "fetus" are viable at as little as 4 months gestation, then this is no longer about whether life begins at conception, is it? Now we can have a debate about whether or not a baby's right to life is guaranteed as long as he inhabits his mother's body, and whether that life has rights before it's born, but to continue to dance around the issue of whether or not these babies are babies? Let's cut this out, already.
~It's Veteran's Day. If you are so fortunate to see one of our brave service men and women as you go about your day, take the time to thank them for their service. If you know a family who is waiting patiently for their deployed loved one to come home, thank them for their sacrifice on our behalf. And continue to pray for the devastated victims, and families of victims of the Fort Hood massacre. Happy Veteran's Day. If you read this blog and are connected to our armed services in any way, thank you.
34 graceful responses:
1. I'm still chewing on your last post, haven't responded yet. It was great, though, and made me reflect.
2. Are you saying, Terry, that you don't think there has ever been a place for what we would collectively refer to as 'Affirmative Action' in higher education? I have a hard time with this one, because for generations, schools of higher learning were simply off limits to African American students, or Latino students, or heck, even Jewish students at a lot of these schools. I'm not saying the system is perfect, or that it's as necessary today as it might have once been, but just as I think forced desegregation in public schools helped people to live side by side with one another and the next generation to have less hatred towards one another, I think the choice of schools to purposely include more students of color was a good thing.
Im not taking away your right to feel condescended towards, and I can get that, but do you think that there has never been a place for actively trying to make a school more racially diverse?
3. I saw an intersting clip today of a Dem Representative and she said the majority of the House is Pro-Life. That both surprised and excited me. In the same clip, the referenced polls that show that the US has become MORE pro-life in the last few years, not less. So maybe some of your points have sunk in to the hearts and minds of people. Let's hope so.
Here's that clip: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/11/10/dem_majority_of_house_is_pro-life.html
4. Here in Canada they call it "Remembrance Day" and as a military brat I echo all of your sentiments completely. :)
Certainly Nicole, I can appreciate the desire for richness and depth of experiences and diversity on a college campus. And to that end, and that end alone, there should be no differentiating when it comes to admission standards.
Affirmative Action, as an ideal policy, should have been one that countered the practice of admitting lesser qualified white candidates at the expense of more qualified black candidates. this is unjust, and it should be beaten back.
But lowering the standards for black and latina or whatever colored students is reverse racism against more qualified white students, and it says to the minority students: "We know you couldn't do any better than this, so we'll let you in anyway." It's racism all around- the belief that black students are inherently less intelligent or in some way inferior. Surely you can see that?
Desegregation is good and right. What I wrote wasn't about that. But when will we acknowledge the progress made and stop doing this type of thing?
Terry,
OK, I admit I was looking past the "unqualified" part of your point. That point is well-taken; if a student doesn't qualify or meet the school's standards, then I agree that is condescending.
BUT, just to play devil's advocate here, and this might sound condescending to some, but is there not some truth that a larger percentage of black and latino students in the US are centered in areas with poorer school districts, where one *could* argue that they don't have the same access to quality education?
I mean, I know for myself as someone who went to school in the Hawaii public school system, which is pretty poor as they go, I didn't qualify for a lot of schools not so much becuase of my academic record, but because of my lack of well-roundedness as a student with things like extra-curricular activities, etc. But the school I went to simply couldn't afford many after-school programs or sports, etc, so I think our school had like, soccer and basketball for girls, and that was about it, and nothing in the way of debate teams, drama clubs, etc. So my 'resume' as it were for schools was much more thin than a lot of schools would have liked to see bec I had almost no extra-curricular 'stuff' to make me a good candidate. I got around that by going to a community college for two years and then transferring (and saved a lot of money, too).
And speaking to some of my teacher friends who did stints in largely minority schools in urban centers int he US, their stories of the inadequacy of the education system there was appalling, including having to buy their own supplies, kids having to share desks and chair, leaky roofs, and kids not being able to eat all day in school because there was no food service and kids weren't sent to school with anything to eat.
So, with all that in mind,and I KNOW that not all black and latino kids go to schools like this, but I think if we took a hard look at the numbers we'd see that a disproportionate number do, do you still not see any relevance to this kind of policy?
I'm not saying the way it is is perfect, I mean I suppose ideally, you wouldn't look at race you'd look at what was the environment the kids came from, but as that is totally impractical and impossible, I guess I'm saying I can see where people arguing for this still keep winning. There are some facts on 'their' side. I know I wouldn't have the guts to tell a kid of any race from a school like that that they should have done as well as a kid from a suburban school with laptops for everyone and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Again, I see your point, but I wonder if it's still there because it's complicated.
Regarding affirmative action, studies have actually found that it hurts those getting a boost; consider someone with an SAT score of 1000 in a room full of people averaging 1200. Guess who ends up at the wrong end of the curve?
(the same is one big reason athletes have such dismal graduation rates)
IMO, that's cruel.
I'm enjoying this discussion very much.
Nicole, I had some of the same thoughts as you, initially... but the admission standard doesn't seem to consider quality of education. It considers race only. Am I right, Terry?
If the standard said something like, "Students from such-and-such school districts are designated underprivileged. Therefore, regardless of race, all students from those districts are held to different standards," then that would be one thing. But it doesn't seem like that's what we're dealing with here.
Because, what about the Asian student living in one of those districts? Shouldn't they be just as entitled to those considerations as a black or latino student? And the white students living in those areas? And the blue and purple ones, too?
Interesting discussion here.... :)
Why are we pretending that this is not about killing babies, but about a woman's right to decide if she should be forced to carry a fetus (which may or may not be a real person) inside of her to term and deliver it?
Because Satan deals in lies and we need to stop battling him on his terms. He's bigger, meaner and stronger than we are and has kept us distracted for too long.
God's people need to stop racing wildly about, looking for a safe place in an unsafe world. We need to accept that there is no place for us here, humble ourselves and seek the Lord with ALL of heart, soul and mind.
Only then will the Lord arise and fight for His people.
He promised. We need to listen.
H
Coach Krystal,
I totally agree with you, I actually conceded that point in my (admittedly lengthy) comment. But as I said, because that sort of determination (what school system they were a prt of, etc) would be nearly impossible, I can see why people default to giving positions to 'minority' students based on said argument.
And hey, as a white kid who grew up going to pretty poor schools (in North Carolina we didn't even have chairs when I was a kid! We sat on milk crates and shared desks, and there were probably 35 kids to a class room!) I know that technically just looking at race isn't "fair".
My point was just more that I can see why, as the issue is complicated and messy, the people who advocate for these standards still being in place keep winning the argument.
But I do want to say that I DO agree with Terry's assertion that when you tell kids less is expected of them, that is not a good message. It's just a tough subject and Im not sure there is a perfect solution.
I was thinking the same thing, Nicole: Is there a perfect solution to this kind of thing?
I think it's good that Terry addressed this, though, because I had never even heard of it until now...
(Nor did I know that there were schools that didn't serve lunch. That angered me as much to read it as I'm sure it did when your teacher friend told you about it. I mean, really? The fattest nation on the planet, and we can't find a way to get a sandwich and an apple to our school kids? But that's another topic, isn't it?) ;)
Coach,
yes, I was outraged as well. And listen to this... at that particular school, in the Bronx, not only did they not serve lunch, but they also wouldn't let the kids off campus to go get lunch, because they had once upon a time but the businesses in the area complained so much about kids hanging around, loitering, etc, at lunch time that they had to stop letting them out of the building at lunchtime. So my friend said try teaching Hamlet to a class of 30 kids at fifth period who haven't eaten all day, who are sharing desks and sitting under a leaky roof. Yeah right.
But I know that's a big digression, sorry Terry. :)
Okay, let's make a distinction here, because I do know exactly what you're talking about, Nicole.
For example, in my state, there is a massive college scholarship program. They do what you suggest, offer full ride to students who finish in the top 10 or 20% of their class at schools in struggling zones. This includes students of all races and backgrounds. This, I think, is a good thing. And if this was the extent of it, I'd have no problem. It certainly addresses the problem of college admission and underprivilieged kids and that's a good thing.
However, it isn't. Back when I applied to college, many moons ago, I graduated from a high school that was, at the time, considered a top notch school. One of the best in the district. I had pretty decent grades early in my high school career, but goofed off near the end and it showed. My SAT's were mixed: outstanding verbal score, slightly better than dismal math. I didn't meet the requirements for admission. But they wanted me, so they sent me to the Office of African American Affairs, and made it happen.
I thought this type of thing was a thing of the past, especially given the structure of the state scholarship program. I have recently found out however, that this is still commonly practiced.
But my girls don't need it. They can meet admission standards, and if they don't, then they don't deserve to be admitted to schools where they didn't measure up. Of course, there's only one university they are even considering for their first two years, since they'll be living at home, so it's all probably a moot point.
Oh, Heather, I agree with your comment 100%. I have ceased looking for a safe place anywhere but under the shadow of The Almighty.
It's just that seeing that baby, (born at what, 22 weeks gestation?) really amplified the intellectual dishonesty of the abortion issue. That, given ultrasounds, and neonatal miracle stories, people still pretend as if the question of when life begins is a mysterious one.
The mystery has been solved, no? So why not just call a spade a spade and come out and say it: There is a segment of our society that doesn't care if it's a baby or not. If the pregnancy is an inconvenience for the woman, that takes precedent over that baby's right to life because the baby is at his mother's mercy until he emerges from her body.
Quick question (before I head off to sleep:)
Is my use of "the N word" offensive to anyone? Because it wasn't my intent to offend, simply to make clear the reality that racism can come in all forms: the vile, hateful kind, and the pat on the head, condescending kind. I detest the latter most of all because it is often racism masking itself as compassion. I detest the latter because it's not honest. At least a klansmen will give it to you straight.
The poltically correct, class warfare promoting type of racism is rampant in today's world and unfortunately the people who DON'T participate in it are most often called racists.
So, if I offended anyone's sensibilities, please forgive me. Please? I thought about editing the post, but then I would be less than honest.
It's just that seeing that baby, (born at what, 22 weeks gestation?) really amplified the intellectual dishonesty of the abortion issue.
I agree. Sadly, the "intellects" of ungodly people tend to think ungodly thoughts :o(
There is a segment of our society that doesn't care if it's a baby or not.
You nailed that one! And no one is going to convince them otherwise as long as they WANT to believe the satanic lie. They are willingly siding with the devil against the Lord by pridefully and greedily deciding to BE God.
It's the original sin and the one God won't forgive, should a person die without coming to repentance.
This is my view as a white woman raised in an all white school district in the country . I think affirmative action was very needed and has outlived it's purpose.
At my last job they hired the first black woman threw the door as a boss ,they made a big deal about it ,She made a big deal about being a strong black woman. By the time she was finally fired she had run our area into the ground and had our whole mixed race group at each others throats .
Two weeks after they hired the first woman they had hired a totally qualified black woman who had to work under our "strong" (Loud obnoxious emotional ) boss knowing that the woman was simply given the job of boss because she came in the door first being black (This was a start up company ) .
It was humiliating to her to realize they hired just any black woman for this job because the truth is they didn't believe there were going to be any qualified black women ever coming threw that door.
The second woman became my boss next and she was business minded ,just ,intelligent , and actually strong. She had us back on track in no time.
I felt as though the actions taken by our company actually increased racial problems by putting such an unqualified person in charge simply because of their color. I would imagine the same feelings are developed in colleges also.
The n word surprised to see it. Where I worked the people of color frequently called each other that and the women ( married moms ) were called n ho's . Leaves me totally confused .
For those of you who may have already read this post and are just coming back to comment, it has been edited to include an apology to the thinking housewife. If I gave the impression that I think she is a racist, I do not. I simply believe that we disagree, and that's okay.
Mrs. Terry,
I'm loving the discussion here. =)
One of my (and my father's) heroes is Thomas Sowell. He is such an incredibly intelligent man. He was well-educated pre-affirmative action, and it's interesting to hear him talk about his experience.
When he worked as a photographer during Korean War, the while photographers gave him deference; they realized that, as a black man, if he'd been intelligent enough to get such a prestigious job, he knew what he was doing.
When he started teaching at a prestigious college at a very young age, students gave him deference, because they realized that, as a young black man, if he had reached that level of education in their society, he must be intelligent enough to fight the tide of racism.
However, when he started teaching at another prestigious school after affirmative action became prevalent, students were less respectful, assuming that he was just there to balance the ratio of blacks at the school -he found he had to prove his mettle (not a hard task for Thomas Sowell =)
Blacks fought, in the Civil Rights movement, for equality --not for special treatment. It's interesting to read the words of blacks throughout history, to see the shift from a quest for equality to a sense of entitlement.
The way to fight the tide of racism isn't to take on an "us against them" mentality at all, but to create an environment where anyone can strive to meet the high standard of education in our country, and can be considered for a place in a college, a position at a law firm, or a place in politics based -not on the color of their skin or where they came from -but on their ability to meet that standard.
=) All that to say, I loved the point you made in this post. Can you tell I'm a little bit passionate about it, too? =)
I know I comment too much, sorry... haha. but here I go again.
1. The way in which you used the N word didn't offend me, it only offends me when people embrace it and use it to refer to themselves or others. If it's used in the way you did, in reference to a epitaph, then that's totally in context. Just my two cents.
2. I'm not sure I can agree, Terry, bec it sounds like you're saying anyone (and I suppose that would include me) that can see some logical reasons behind affirmative action as it stands today are racists. And I don't see that as a fair conclusion. I totally see your point that it can feel condescending and that no one needs to have a leg-up simply because of who they are racially.
But my points made above about the still-existing disparity in the k-12 education for whites and minorities in our country, is a relevant part of the discussion on this issue,and why it's not as simple as doing away with it all. Yes there are scholarships available, but if a school's admission standards are still too high, you can have all the money in the world to go and no where to go to pay it.
Everyone's comments here are well-noted and i agree that ideologically, everyone should have the same admission standards. And I agree that your daughters don't need the extra help as far as admission goes. And I agree that the system as it is isn't totally 'fair', either. But I'm not convinced that affirmative action still exists solely out of left-ring racism, I just think it's more complicated than that.
And Mr Sowell sounds like a man I'd like to get to know better. But I also know that while his classmates may have treated him deferentially, those kids who had to have the national guard behind them to get into the first desegregated highschools and universities were not shown any deferential treatment, so again I'm not convinced that there has never been a place for affirmative action in higher education.
You can call me a liberal for thinking these things, but I think racist goes a bit far. Hopefully you can see my point there.
Nicole, you mean you don't know Thomas Sowell? one of the best conservative columnists I've ever read. I'm actually reading his book, Basic Economics, right now.
You can find his writings on townhall.com
For the record, I do believe that there was a period of time when affirmative action served a distinct purpose, and was needed as America transitioned from institutionalized racism.
I simply believe we have reached a place where the way it is applied needs to be looked at and reconsidered. I don't think that everyone who believes we still need harbors a type of liberal racism, but many do, and we accept it simply because it seems to be helping people, no matter how questionable the application and motivation.
Personally, I think that the particular post in question of "The Thinking Housewife" was racist, as someone who is in an interracial marriage (and is sort of interracial myself)...but that's just my two cents.
Affirmative action as been outlawed in the state I live in and has been for sometime. I do think it has served it's purpose.
A conservative economist who writes for Townhall.com????!!!!
Oh yes, let me get RIGHT over there and check him out... haha... ;)
-Me
Also, thank you for conceding that not all people who see some logic in affirmative action, or who don't think it's as easy as getting rid of it all, is racist. I do concede your point that some of it is... I just don't like to paint everything with a broad brush.
I agree with Nurse Bee on the racism issue. I, my children, and my husband are of mixed ethnic backgrounds. Indeed my mother and my father's entire families are of mixed ethnic backgrounds as are so many families in America.
Those who believe there are legitimate reasons for the different ethnic backgrounds not to mix come to that conclusion from the belief that they are not equal in some way, period. God created on race, the human race with many different ethnicities. In choosing a partner for marriage the Christian is admonished to choose a believer without regard to skin color.
We as sinful beings are always looking for excuses for our sin. Many that hold the belief that people who are from different ethnic backgrounds should not procreate do not even realize that they are racists and are completely unaware that they are following sinful, worldly beliefs.
It is totally plausible that the author of this blog, Thinking Housewive does not even realize her racist feelings. I would suggest she take a look at some wonderful material from Ken Ham on the issue of race. He outlines a Biblical worldview on this issue. As Christians we should always strive to make sure our beliefs are in line with the Bible.
The belief this woman holds is not Biblical and in my opinion is racist whether she realizes it or not.
On affirmative action, still needed but the focus should not be on skin color but on making sure that all people have equal access to jobs and education regardless of their race, or socio-economic background. To base it soley on race is wrong and to allow anyone to get into a university when they are not qualified does that individual a disservice.
Okay off my soapbox and back to life I need a cup of hot coffee and I need to get back to covering World War II with my nine year old. We are reading an excellent book called The Winged Watchman if you have young ones you should check it out!
One more comment, and I promise to disappear. Haha...
I just wanted to make a point that instead of focusing on this sort of race-based affirmative action, the better plan would be to improve our nations k-12 schools and make sure that Americans are all receiving the same quality of education.
Ive always had a big problem with the way that most states in the union fund their schooling largely by local property taxes. The idea that *public* schools in the state of new york (where I used to live) would have such vastly different resources and environments because of their funding is wrong. If we're going to 1) have public schools and 2) insist that children receive an education, then they should be equally funded. I know some of the conservative folks would disagree, but how else are we going to rid ourselves of this disparity?
<~I prefer my racism straight up>
This section was interesting because you have obviously educated yourself to the point where you realise that this is what it is all about. I am white, The General is not. The General is in a job that my Father was in. My Father had to wait TEN YEARS to get the same job The General got the first time he tried. My Father scored the highest on the test, knocked the physical requirements out of the park and even had military experience..yet he had to wait on a list for ten years...because he was white. The General had the exact same criteria...but he ALSO was a minority. This pissed off The General because he should have made it just because he was qualified...but many people thought he made it because of affirmative action.
It CHEAPENS the achievements of everyone.
I applied for over 70 scholarships and awards while in college. I always put that I was white. As a joke, The General told me to leave it blank (my last name reflects his ethnic background). Guess what I GOT! You should have seen the shock on that awards audiences face..they had no idea that I was the winner and nearly fainted when they saw little ole white me. HE HE!
I find this offensive! And many of the administrators of these programs (I know, I worked in them while in college and in the military) find these minorities.."needy" and these programs necessary or they would never get in, never get anywhere!
HOW ABOUT THEY JUST MAKE ONE STANDARD AND HOLD EVERYONE TO IT?
AND, sorry so long here, for any minority to hold to the teachings of darwin and to uphold a woman's right to choose just shows they ARE ignorant because those two issues were specifically developed BY RACISTS!
Ok, sorry, this gets me riled up.
As for the abortion thing....that we are NOW even voting on allowing the government to take over healthcare where there is NO constitutional let to stand on astounds me.
Just see how everyone likes it when you can't get a mortgage or access your bank account because you chose not to vaccinate your kids. The Governement will control all those things (already does) and we will be their slaves.
Ok, off my soap box :)
Many Blessings :)
Ace
Armchair Housewife,
Here is my solution for schools abusing children...pull your children out of the schools. Parents, especially those who serve Christ, must stop buying into the fantasy that anyone else is responsible for your children AND that anyone else will ever care for them as you will.'
There is a article up on drudge today where NINETY PERCENT of incoming freshman at CUNY University cannot do the most simple of highschool math. Whose fault is this? And why do parents keep packing their kids off to the same failing places?
I know, lets just all keep throwing money at it and I am sure it will get better :)
Anyhoo, I am sorry to hear the children are so mistreated. I am even more horrified that their PARENTS allow it!
And as Terry showed, when you obey God you can do it..even as a single Mother. ANY sacrifice is worth it.
Many Blessings :)
Ace
"Do not call conspiracy all that this people call conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.
But the LORD of hosts, him you shall regard as holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
And he will become a sanctuary, and a stone of offense, and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
And many shall stumble thereon; they shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken." Isaiah 8:12-15
This prophecy is not "just" for national Israel. It is for God's people for all time.
We are falling right into our enemy's trap and it will crush us if we don't wake up.
When we stop looking all around us at Satan's attempts to distract with smoke, mirrors and roars, God will stop allowing his threats to bother us. We will run to our Rock of refuge that cannot be moved. The very gates of hell will not prevail if we obey God and let Him handle things.
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
The "land" is not Israel or America. It is the kingdom we carry in our hearts--which will become manifest when we stop fighting against our Salvation. The "sin", (notice it is singular) is primarily that of pridefully refusing to look at Him and accept His discipline for not thankfully trusting that He loves us and wants what is best. Every other sinful action stems from that rotten root.
When we obey Him, He will fight for us. We may end up being taken captive, martyred or even be allowed to physically escape in relative safety. That isn't for us to decide.
Are we willing to accept this or does God need to allow satan to pressure us further?
H
Terry dear,while you are so gracious as to apologize and refrain from calling The Thinking Housewife a racist, I am tempted to think that a very apt descriptor... evidently I am a much less gracious person that you;) Many folks who do not think they are racist, are racist indeed. I am reminded of the recently infamous Justice of the Peace (from Georgia, I think) who refused to marry an interracial couple. He insisted that he was in no way racist... it's all so sad really.
I am sure The Thinking Housewife is very earnest and well meaning individual, and I'll allow she made a few merit-able points in her discussion of interracial adoption. Anyone who adopts across racial lines should be prepared to put forth significant effort to connect the child with their own ethnicity and culture of origin. I have no problem with that assertion... in fact my opinion has always been that the family that adopts transracially becomes interracial- all members should consider themselves interracial, at the very least culturally so. But to place a child's cultural heritage above their need for a loving home, or even their very survival in some instances is patently absurd. We are all people first. SOmeone above (perhaps Mrs. Henderson?) mentioned the writings of Ken Ham on race, and I enthusiastically second that recommendation.
And my primary model as an adoptive parent is God the Father Himself. We all.. all of us believers.. have been adopted into His family. And if bringing a pathetic sinner such as myself into the Holy family of God, doesn't qualify as a cross-cultural adoption, well then I don't know what does!
Oh... and *shucks* thanks for the compliment and the link too, hon. ((hugs))
Hi Terry,
Not offended at all by the N word. It appropriately underscores your point. And as a minority of mixed ethnic background, I applaud you for "calling it like it is". I've been on the down side of the affirmative action thing. Being disrespected because people thought I was there to "fill a quota" and not because I was qualified. Not a lot of fun. Affirmative action is like a cancer that breeds scorn, distrust, contempt, strife, etc. And then our government must find ways to step in to offer further"help". If I didn't know better, I'd think AA was a deliberate attempt to stir up trouble in order to justify further government intervention. Hmmmm....
Just my $.02
Lisa B.
I haven't read all of these comments, but have long thought that any advantages to affirmative action are lost when they are applied at a college and post grad level. The economic and social(not racial) divide that create actual problems can hardly be compensated for in the most demanding academic years. If you are going to try and balance the opportunities, do it when the kids are young. Provide them with the same opportunities and early educations (I'm a homeschooler, so I have no idea how I would practically work this out since I'm not exactly a supporter of our public education).
I was sent to the best private schools, was parented in circles where the question was "Which Ivy?", not whether or not you go to college. I agree with the woman who brought up that this is a lousy place to bring in a kid who didn't have to meet the same standards, regardless of race. Rich kids are often groomed from preschool. Unless the one getting the leg up is extremely resourceful and dogged, I think it a bad situation for them. Besides, who wants a doctor who didn't meet the same standards?
That said, I want my kids to be independent thinkers, hard workers, and wise. I don't care if they even go to college, as long as they are intellectually vibrant, productive, and financially independent. I think our way of looking at education is all screwed up.
As for abortion, it's been a long while since I've worked in the pro-life field, but seven years ago when I worked for a crisis pregnancy center, I realized and read that most Americans are actually more sympathetic with the pro-life movement...to a degree. They agree it is a living being. The issue is whether or not the mother should have to suffer. What if she abuses it? What if she was raped? My boyfriend will leave me. It's not my husband's/boyfriend's. And a whole list of other, completely ludicrous arguments. But most of the women I met and read about agreed that it was a baby. Abortion is bad. It does end a life and it is selfish. The stats leaned toward the majority of Americans being pro-life in most cases. However, how to prosecute a mother who aborted was always a big question and they were scared of the back alley procedures rising rapidly.
Just information, no solutions. I thought I'd let you know what I witnessed in my 3 years working on the front lines.
Joanna,
I agree with you completely and it sounds like my experience somewhat mirrors yours. I too went to the absolute best private schools where the kids would mock the teacher's parking lot because the cars in the kids parking lots were so much better. One of my classmates got a brand new Mercedes for his sixteenth birthday!!!
When the recruiters from Ivy League schools would come to our school they would let us know that our "A" was not viewed the same as and "A" from public schools kids, and that our "C" was considered equivelent to their "A".
It is for this reason that I say we need some sort of system, not based on skin color, to bring these public school children onto a level playing field but I agree with you wholeheartedly waiting until university level is way too late and does little to help.
I am not in favor of dumbing university courses down and lowering entrance standards. What I am in favor of is a program that would stop the disparity at the middle and high school levels that continues to contribute to large socio-economic gaps and a big lower/upper class division or blue/collar white collar division if you will. That said I too am a homeschool mom and not being overly familiar with the public school system do not have ideas about how this could be accomplished. I do think school funding is the key however.
But the most important thing is this is the disparity is NOT based on the color of one's skin but on socio-economic status. Obviously I am a dark skin individual and I grew up with advantages most do not have. There are MANY disadvantaged white children in our public school system. I will be glad when we can get past the color of our skin and just look at each other as people.
It was not my intent to insinuate in any way that the author of The Thinking Housewife is a racist.
If the shoe fits . . .
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