For John, BLUF:
It isn't what you asked for, but it is what you get. Nothing to see here; just move along.
The Daily Beast, where Writer Megan McArdle argues that in higher education racial quotas work against Asian-Americans.
We can hope she is wrong.
My choice would be to add professors and cut administrative staff (to cut costs) while raising taxes (to cover additional costs), thus expanding college opportunities for all people. And, bring in everyone for the first semester and let them sort themselves out at Christmas. As I recall, that was the California way, fifty years ago.
Hat tip to the Instapundit.
Regards — Cliff
We live in a world today in which "racism" is merely a matter of perception and whose interests are being threatened. Racial quotas are, by there very nature racist. You simply can't have "GOOD" racism and "BAD" racism. To attempt to do so violates the very definition of the word "racist."
ReplyDeleteMore professors are not the answer. To do so will only further water down what should....and once was.....a challenging opportunity for learning and gain in intellect. But today, we continue to lower the bar in order for some imagined group to enjoy "success" in "higher education." What on earth is a BS in Black Studies? Do we have anywhere a BS in White Studies, or Yellow studies. No. The curricula was designed in response to political pressure by special interest (racist) groups to get respect on someone else's dime. Where do you employ a BS in Black Studies?
We have forgotten that higher education is simply.....ONLY.....about learning.....or should be.
Neal
ReplyDeleteEverything else is "Caucasian Studies". I don't mind "Black Studies" or "Women Studies", or whatever, as long as some are picking up the analytic tools needed to think.
I bet even Dwight D Eisenhower and Winston S Churchill benefitted from flying lessons, even though neither made it through to the end.
Give everyone a shot, but let them flunk out at the end of the first semester if they don't cut it. Let them come back and try again later.
Regards — Cliff
Why does everyone need a free shot?? In real life, there are folks who do things that others can't do....is that discriminatory? Why not let those who can't keep clogging the system until we lower the standards enough to let them be successful.
ReplyDeleteThis whole college thing got its start back in the 60's when it was discovered that the "rich kids" could get deferments while the slow and poor and minority kids had the draft. It was judged to be stupid for one to grow up and want to be a carpenter...or a plumber....or a small shop owner. No....better to go get a college education and really BE somebody. The myth continues today. If you are black and you can't go to college if only because you are too stupid to go....it is racist and we have to find a way for you to go...and go....and go.
I probably benefited from getting my butt whipped...but I don't recommend it as an acceptable way of growing up and accepting responsibility.
What is wrong with "Kid, you show little aptitude or intellect to succeed in higher education. Better you go learn a trade and become successful in that." If you've ever been to San Antonio....you can't help but notice the name of a fellow who has built more houses and neighborhoods than any man alive. What most folks don't know is that he was a high school graduate, went in the AF....became a specialist in civil engineers....rose to the lofty grade of SSgt....and finally bid the AF farewell.......now he has more money than almost anyone.
Neal
ReplyDeleteI'm from Southern California in the 1950s and everyone got a shot, so we could sort out who would help society advance, this way or that. It was hopeful, without being socialist.
I don't object to trade schools. In 1950s Long Beach, California, our City College had both a Liberal Arts Division and a Business Technology Division (where my Father, no college, taught).
Regards — Cliff