Memo to Pat Buchanan (RE: “Affirmative Action”)

 

Well they passed a law in ’64

To give those who ain’t got a little more

But it only goes so far

Because the law don’t change another’s mind

When all it sees at the hiring time

Is a line on the color bar

~Bruce Hornsby & The Range, “The Way It Is”

Hey Pat,

What up, dawg?  You know I saw you do your thang on Rachel Maddow’s show the other day.  Gotta say, you didn’t sound too happy towards the end there, potnah (ROTFLOL)!  While I know you’ve been a revisionist historian with regard to, among other things, the U.S. Constitution, manifest destiny, the Civil War, the Ku Klux Klan, the Holocaust, and immigration policies, your “knowledge” of our government’s efforts to remedy racial discrimination caught me a little off-guard.  Now, you know I don’t have your credentials, nor do I have my own MSNBC show from which to espouse my views.  However, you know I like to read — especially about things that involve me.  Should I remind you that I’m an African-American, Pat?  I know that you like the fact that I have Scottish genes in my DNA (but probably don’t want to discuss how I “inherited” them), and that me mum & dad gi’ me a good, Christian, Scot-sounding name (BREE-an FOOS-ter!) like you have.  However, my guess is I might have a perspective on Affirmative Action that you lack.  Call it heightened self-interest, if you will.

First, let’s start with the facts about Affirmative Action, Pat (I’ll term it “A-A” to save some typing).  A-A is the colloquial term for Executive Order 11246, issued in 1965 by Lyndon Johnson, (which was ITSELF actually related to a presidential order issued in 1953 by one of your conservative “homies,” Dwight Eisenhower) — a companion piece to the Civil Rights Act he signed a year earlier.  The order states, in part, that government contractors could not discriminate in their hiring practices based on “race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.”  It also required these contractors to take “affirmative action” to demonstrate that their employment practices are in compliance with Johnson’s order. That’s where the A-A term originated, Pat.  You might notice that the order mentions NOTHING about “hiring quotas,” “preferential hiring,” “set-aside programs,” or the like.  The order basically says, “don’t discriminate” and “show your plan to make sure you don’t.”  That’s it.

(Note:  I know what a meticulous researcher you are, Pat — what with you being the standard-bearer for aphoristic zeal among us lesser beings – so, I know you’ll look up this for yourself.  I just wanted to save you some time; you can start by reading this Wikipedia page.)

Now, some people laugh whenever they hear the term “reverse discrimination.” Considering who usually makes all the decisions, it is sort of funny — in an ironic way.  I know what people who use that term mean.  They mean that qualifications are being ignored in favor of promoting a more diverse workforce/student body.  I agree with you that A-A hasn’t been the panacea for discrimination that Johnson and Eisenhower might have hoped.  Pat, you think A-A is wrong because it’s unfair to white people (after all, they were “100% of the signers of the Declaration of Independence”).  I just think the order has been applied incorrectly.  The intent was noble, but the problem with it is the same as with any other civil rights-related endeavor: you can’t legislate people’s hearts.  Jesus knew it, too; that’s why, in Matthew 22.21, Christ drew a distinction between following the dictates of the government…and those of God. 

As much as the United States purports itself to be a Christian society — after all, God is printed on our money! — many of our social mores haven’t really lent themselves to Christ’s teachings in practice, have they, Pat? According to you, Americans are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…as long as white males remain at the top of the pyramid and don’t have to share any of their power, I guess.  Pat, I realize that you have the country’s best interest at heart, and probably believe that Lyndon Johnson, a southern Democrat “pandering to the civil rights crowd,” was pressured into issuing a poorly-conceived executive order.  Here’s a surprise, Pat:  I kind of agree with you.  What Johnson couldn’t foresee was that people like you, who resist any idea of fairness, compassion, or reparation — unless there’s a buck in it for you – would settle for doing the most expedient thing.  Rather than develop a REAL affirmative action plan to eliminate discriminatory hiring practices, it was much easier to simply institute hiring quotas and job set-asides.  Those guys (and let’s face it, they WERE guys) probably said to each other, “So what if some of these folks we hired aren’t the most qualified for the job?  At least the government can’t prove we were discriminating; we’ll just trot out Leroy and Rosita!”  Because of this, many A-A opponents — and proponents, for that matter — believe today that A-A = reverse discrimination.  Amazing how decades of spin doctoring by the Jesse Helmses and Phyllis Schaflys of the world (your predecessors/contempories) has succeeded in redefining A-A’s true intent…thereby, diluting its impact.

As you know, Pat, my generation is a direct beneficiary of Affirmative Action.  When I was growing up in Oklahoma City, there was a place within walking distance of my house called Springlake Amusement Park.  During the first 10 years of my life, blacks were not welcome there.  The place was a landmark of Oklahoma City, drawing thousands of visitors each year.  Celebrities would come to town for appearances at Springlake.  Beauty pageants were held there.  One of its major attractions was a  whites-only swimming pool.  When A-A edicts forced Springlake to end its segregation policies, the owners turned the pool into an aquarium.  I know what you’re going to say, Pat:  the owners had every right to do what they wanted with their own property.  It just seems that, in complying with the letter of the law, they violated the spirit of it, rather than permit “those” people the freedom to place their dusky bodies into the crystal-clear waters of this famous pool alongside their more pristine, milky-white brethren, I guess.  I still enjoyed myself there as a kid, being somewhat oblivious to the history of the park, but my parents were always wary of spending their money at such an establishment. 

You see, Pat, I want you to get your wish someday.  I wish Affirmative Action wasn’t necessary.  But, even you must acknowledge that without A-A, many qualified blacks, Latinos, Asians, gays, Native Americans and women might not ever have tasted their piece of the American pie.  Think of how much better off our country is when ALL of  its citizens are permitted to become contributors?  Granted, there are some isolated examples which showcase your “issues” with A-A — such as, what happened to those New Haven firefighters.  That was wrong.  However, it was the decision-makers of that debacle  who were wrong (wonder how many of those shot-callers were white males, Pat?); that does NOT mean A-A is wrong.  If your car has a bug splattered on its windshield, you don’t remove the windshield; you clean the thing!  A-A practices need to be cleaned.  That’s all I’m saying Pat.

That’s just the way it is

Some things will never change

That’s just the way it is

Ah, but don’t you believe them

    

Good sharing with you, buddy.  My best to Rush!

Regards and L8R 4 U,

Brian

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Tags: affirmative action, Justice, Pat Buchanan, race