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Your task is to find the joke in this post:
For some reason, H wanted to talk about rascism today. Not the vague sterotyping of race that is practically unavoidable in society, but that hate-filled, slur-spilling, loud kind of racsism of a true beleiver.
He wanted to know if I thought there was any "excuse" for rascism in adults, like say, they'd been victims of a crime or multiple crimes by a specific minority. I had to tell him that while I accept that everyone has baggage in life, there really is no reason for a rational, thinking person to hate a group of people based on the actions of a few. Sometimes people are prejudiced because they were taught that by their family. And if that's the case, their religion might even require that they honor the wishes of their elders. But you can't really order someone to hate someone else. Even Hitler relied on negative feelings already in place in Germany at that time. H didn't seem to think I had thought this thru, and that maybe rascists should be cut a bit more slack. But then, H is pretty even keeled about such things.
I decided that the reason I feel so strongly about this is simply because I am an American. I'm caucasian, and female and middle class. But none of those things speak to the whole of who I am. There are people in Europe who think all Americans watch and really, really love American Idol. Asian "america bars" have big haired blondes and people wearing cowboy hats and digging Bon Jovi. I assure you, none of those things have anything to do with me. Not all Christians support murdering doctors to stop abortions. I know how to spell the word "women" and don't feel the need to alter the spelling to remove the word "men" (as in "womyn", "wimmin" or worse yet "womben"). And since I demand to be treated as a unique individual, I think it's only right that I do my best to extend that courtesy to others. I'm not sure H would understand all that. After all, he's black.
Did anyone notice I switched mood themes today? Ah, ChartityCam...how you delight and amuse!
He wanted to know if I thought there was any "excuse" for rascism in adults, like say, they'd been victims of a crime or multiple crimes by a specific minority. I had to tell him that while I accept that everyone has baggage in life, there really is no reason for a rational, thinking person to hate a group of people based on the actions of a few. Sometimes people are prejudiced because they were taught that by their family. And if that's the case, their religion might even require that they honor the wishes of their elders. But you can't really order someone to hate someone else. Even Hitler relied on negative feelings already in place in Germany at that time. H didn't seem to think I had thought this thru, and that maybe rascists should be cut a bit more slack. But then, H is pretty even keeled about such things.
I decided that the reason I feel so strongly about this is simply because I am an American. I'm caucasian, and female and middle class. But none of those things speak to the whole of who I am. There are people in Europe who think all Americans watch and really, really love American Idol. Asian "america bars" have big haired blondes and people wearing cowboy hats and digging Bon Jovi. I assure you, none of those things have anything to do with me. Not all Christians support murdering doctors to stop abortions. I know how to spell the word "women" and don't feel the need to alter the spelling to remove the word "men" (as in "womyn", "wimmin" or worse yet "womben"). And since I demand to be treated as a unique individual, I think it's only right that I do my best to extend that courtesy to others. I'm not sure H would understand all that. After all, he's black.
Did anyone notice I switched mood themes today? Ah, ChartityCam...how you delight and amuse!
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"We consider many other factors as well. Race is one of those..."
http://www.umich.edu/~urel/admissions/statements/response.html
"They may receive 20 points for one of the following: membership in an underrepresented minority group, socioeconomic disadvantage, attendance at a predominantly minority high school, athletics, or at the Provost's discretion."
http://www.umich.edu/~urel/admissions/archivedocs/uapolicy.html
Q. Does Michigan take race into account in its undergraduate admissions process?
A. Yes. Race is taken into account as one of many factors in an admissions process that also considers high school GPA, standardized test scores, the quality of an applicant's high school, the strength of the curriculum chosen by the applicant, geographic location, alumni relationships, essays, athletic talent, letters or recommendation and socioeconomic status. Race, like any of these factors, may influence admissions decisions.
http://www.umich.edu/~urel/admissions/faqs/admisqa.html#qc
I think that considering race during the admissions process is racist.
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Yes, but don't you also think that anyone who believes in hate crimes legislation is rascist as well?
According to this, they are also prejudiced agaisnt non-althetes, the wealthy, alumni non-legacies, out of towners, or anyone who can't get a letter of rec. Why is that any different than considering race?
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Athletes bring a measurable skill. Letters of recommendation are obviously a better measure of a person's abilities than skin pigment. Certainly preferential treatment should not be given to the wealthy, or legacies. The person's geographical origin would be useful if the school was genuinely interested in creating a multi-cultural environment, but preferring local students is certainly tantamount to racism. But, skin color has absolutely nothing to do with a person's ability to achieve.