Tag Archives: quotas

The Road to Diamond, Day 211: “No Distinctions”

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Posted by on in Assistance, children, collaborating, Community, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

June 27,2025- “No, it doesn’t matter where they are from, there should be no distinctions made when it comes to protecting children!” So said a bystander, when I recounted an action I had taken, three years ago, to safeguard three Mexican girls. He was right, of course, but the fact that he took umbrage at the reference to the girls’ nationality belied the xenophobia, masked as universalist concern, that arises nearly every time there is mention of the human rights of specific marginalized groups. Had I been talking about white girls, there would not have been any yelling or jutted jaw. (The same “ALL lives matter” ruse has been replayed countless times, when people try to deflect attention from specific cases of injustice.)

Those who object to any use of the terms diversity, equity or inclusion say they just don’t want those terms to be part of official policy, as in “Thou shalt hire members of marginalized communities, and prefer them over someone who belongs to the dominant community.” There is a case to be made for not specifying groups or for having hiring quotas. That case, though, is rendered null and void when the marginalized are not hired, admitted to colleges or otherwise given a shot at success, because of ingrained tendencies to render them invisible or prejudge them as incompetent, shiftless or untrustworthy.

The city council of Home Base I recently voted to not insert a paragraph stating that the city welcomes everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin, into its land use document. That would be all well and good, but for the frequency of redlining and the official overlooking of harassment towards the marginalized. Most people, conservatives as well as liberals and progressives, accept people on an individual basis, anymore. Officially, though, too many local governments cherry pick and try to institutionalize the pecking order that favours one elite or another. This, too, is not exclusive to conservatives. The tendency, across the political spectrum, is to circle the wagons and shout down anyone with fresh ideas.

The angry bystander is right, just not in the way he intended: There ought be no distinction made between people, when it comes to basic human rights. This, however, applies to groups as well as individuals.

The Vehicle

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Education, Inspiration, Personal goals, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

June 29, 2023- In the debate that has ensued today, following a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to end quota admissions to universities, there have emerged two heartfelt themes-both looking for the same result: Education, leading to success in life.

One response is that it is too soon for such an end. There is a sense that a backlash is building against people who are disadvantaged, that those who have built their own fortunes are tired of sharing and that it looks as if the fortunate want to cut off the flow of opportunity.

The other says that people no longer need to have their hands held by legislative fiat or executive action. This group is not all that enamoured of a system that excludes people, either. They see through a different lens, that of disciplined self-reliance and resilience.

There is, as is often the case, merit to both views. I listened to a man explain that he sees America through the windshield of the vehicle, that he wants to see people ahead and not be stuck in the past. I listened to someone else say that the barriers to progress are still in the road, and have to be removed, before the vehicle can go forward in a meaningful way.

A successful driver tends to all aspects of the journey. The vehicle is maintained and kept roadworthy. The driver keeps self rested and stays attentive to all around, minding the traffic signals and signs, and driving at a speed that is safe for the conditions of traffic and the road itself. The driver does not impose own will on others, nor act as if others have no business being on the road.

THIS is where those who call for a complete end to quotas, in the matter of higher education, need to check the rear view mirror-and the side views. There are, in fact, those who want to push the vehicle into reverse and there are those who creep up into the vehicle’s blind spot, and sneak past on the inside-because that is legal. Some of them pose as advocates of self-reliance. They are anything but.

Taking unfair advantage of others-whether they seek a college/university education, or want to pursue a career in the trades, should be opposed by all leaders of good will. The wise driver delivers passengers safely to their destination and helps fellow travelers achieve their goals as well.