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From: mangoe@cs.UMD.EDU (Charley Wingate)
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Re: Affirmative Action is Temporary
Message-ID: <8910242316.AA01172@mimsy.UMD.EDU>
Date: 25 Oct 89 17:23:02 GMT
Sender: tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle)
Organization: U of Maryland, Dept. of Computer Science, Coll. Pk., MD 20742
Lines: 36
Approved: tittle@ics.uci.edu

A reply to Marcel-Franck Simon:

>> It's pretty obvious that AA programs have the effect of increasing social
>> tensions.  

>It's not obvious to me. Can you elaborate on why AA programs increase
>social tensions?

Let me rephrase that: I find it obvious, because I can see such tensions.

I have heard a man accept with a straight face, "You can't understand my
problems because you aren't a woman."  It is highly interesting, though,
that people are generally willing to assume they understand the fellings and
motives of the suposedly sexist men-- or to totally disregard them.
Considering the importance of these people to the problem, this seems to be
misdirected.

I try to override my own prejudices as far as possible.  At the same time, I
hear plenty of people complaining about the behavior of minorities.  Every
workplace in the DC area seems to have some people who rely on their race or
sex for immunity from being fired.  A discrimination suit seems to be a
non-empty threat.  These sentiments are there.

>> AA programs have the effect of forcing division.  AA programs elicit the
>> question, "is she any good, or is she here just because of AA?"

>As opposed to the question that would otherwise be asked, which is
>"why is she here, and not out making coffee or having babies or something?"

It's not opposed to it at all; indeed, the first question may well lead
right to the second, as a rationalization.
-- 
C. Wingate          + "Taste and touch and vision to discern thee fail;
                    +  faith, that comes by hearing, pierces through the veil.
mangoe@cs.umd.edu   +  I believe whate'er the Son of God hath told;
mimsy!mangoe        +  what the Truth hath spoken, that for truth I Hold."