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You don't show any evidence of continuing "institutional racism." All of your examples date to 1964 or before.

As I was born in 1963, I hope you will understand why I may still feel that the effects of that institutional racism may still be in effect.

I was 15 in 1978 when the Bakke matter was coming to a head and I agree that Bakke was not treated fairly...
I also believe that the greatest effect of affirmative action is to provide you with the opportunity to walk a mile in the shoes of man who may be deserving but denied an opportunity. I hope that the lasting effects of affirmative action will be to create an empathy with those who do not get a fair shake and think twice about abusing the power that you have as the majority.

A part of me wants to say that "you can dish it out but you can't take it" but I have seen minorities all over the world get mistreated so I don't think we are alone. I would certainly rather be black and in America than Kurdish and in Iraq. I try to take the position that we should be thankful for what we do have instead of complaining about what we don't but that's just me. I ask you, however...How does it feel with the tables turned...

Also, as I believe in a meritocracy, my principle concern is not what happens when one person is more qualified than another...I believe the better qualified person should win out...My concern is what happens when two persons are equally qualified but of different races...That is where I think most problems occur...

Ongoing institutional racism...I see affirmative action as damaging also because it creates dependence.... Me, I am the type of person who makes the most of any opportunity...

However, for institutional racism...racial profiling, there are some inequities in the criminal justice system...redlining as far as insurance and home loans...

There still is work to be done but I would be totally lying if I said that I am not in a better and more just society than my father or grandfather was...

However, being that we had Jim Crow laws and segregation for such a long time, I do see a need for some type of affirmative action. I would prefer, however, that it be phased out as soon as possible so that all persons have equal access and opportunity in education... I do think equal access to education is the silver bullet to so many of our social problems...

Additionally, "racism" is not the same thing as "sexism." And you also ignore the fact that division of labor among the sexes isn't necessarily a bad thing -- there were feminists who fought against the right to vote, precisely because they did not want to shoulder the duties that men do.

I am not a woman and can not speak to their issues but it is my humble opinion that women may be more content having the choice of voting or not voting... Exercising of a right is completely different from not having it...

In 2003, now that women are in the armed forces and are raped in war, I wonder if they were right...

Also, on the question of equal responsibility regarding military service, as we have an all-volunteer force, women have the choice...As long as a person understands that a responsibility to oneself and for oneself comes with choices (learned that in NCO Leadership School :-), I have to respect their choice...However, just to be fair, I would not want my daughter to be in a situation where she could be harmed without the training and technology to protect herself very well...The choice would be hers, however...

Thank you for the discussion...