Video-Debate:Future of Affirm. Action (extremely good- black scholar John McWhorter is brilliant)

Miller Center, Univ. of Virginia ^ | 4-16-09

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National Discussion & Debates Series The Future of Affirmative Action

Over the past several years, race-based opportunity policies have been on the defensive. In 2006, 58% of Michigan voters approved a statewide referendum ending affirmative action in public education.

A year later, the U.S. Supreme Court forced public school administrators to use socioeconomic status, not race, to integrate segregated public schools. In 2008, Nebraska voters approved a statewide ballot initiative banning all racial preferences, while voters in Colorado rejected a similar measure; future referendums are being prepared in other states.

President Barack Obama injected energy into the race-versus-class debate when he suggested that poor whites should at times be given preference over more privileged blacks.

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The debate from tonight comprises 4 people; 3 academicians and the well-known, old time racial activist, Julian Bond, hosted by Ray Suarez of NPR, with two in favor of affirmative action and two against.

McWhorter just shines .. he's so articulate, documenting all his facts .. and speaking with no notes.

I just LOVE his mind and sensibilities.

**The money portion is at the end ... at 51:20 .. when Bond starts the debate wrapup, with his typical racial whining about the necessity of affirmative action (in effect, lowering academic standards for black students). Same old mantra, which he and so many other leaders just can't get beyond.

**McWhorter's last statement is awesome .. well worth hearing.

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McWhorter is also a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute. A recent article

A Look At Real Diversity

[notaliberal]

If memory serves me—I thought he was an Obama supporter. Articulate, yes sensible ????

[STARWISE]

He’s a mixed bag .. unpredictable for sure .. but brilliant. His reason for supporting Obama seems to only be his deep belief that the value to young black children of finally seeing a black family in the WH is profoundly and singularly motivational to this group.

I agree with you .... you don’t vote for the color, vote for the values and policies.

I still find him fascinating. His views on affirmative action are totally opposite of the Jesse Jackson, Sharpton and Bond black activist types and very well grounded in his own academic career and observations on the ground and the documented research.

[Tired of Taxes]

Watching it now. So far, so good. Thanks for sharing.

[fso301]

I must bump this in order to read it tomorrow

[STARWISE]

You’re welcome... ;)

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CSPAN Book TV interview of him. His main calling is as a linguist and author .. but he has many quirky interests, as you’ll see. He’s a fascinating guy.

http://www.booktv.org/watch.aspx?ProgramId=ID-9089

[Tired of Taxes]

Thanks. I’ll check that out tomorrow. I just finished watching the debate. I think McWhorter did a good job.

[GOP Poet]

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