Like

The Illusion of Righteousness

 The jackasses are at it again. 

When a human entity is named ‘Supreme’ anything, one can expect the possibility that power will be preferred over people.  The supreme court has ruled that affirmative action is ‘unconstitutional’ and the people who would be most negatively affected by this decision are people of Color and anyone of little or no means. 





What is affirmative action:

Affirmative action is a response to centuries of systemic oppression rooted in racism and more forms of othering. It is aimed at addressing historical disadvantages faced by marginalized communities, promotes inclusivity and diversity, and compels institutions to be accountable for creating spaces mainly for people of Color who are always at the receiving end of the shit stick. The decision to dismantle affirmative action fails to acknowledge the ongoing existence of a white-centric culture and ignores the practical ways in which systems can be restructured to be more inclusive. It serves as a necessary check and balance until we achieve a fair and just society.



Achieving true equality requires proactive measures that address the imbalances created by a long-standing white-centric culture. One of the most significant benefits of affirmative action is its ability to foster diversity and inclusivity in all spheres of society. By actively promoting representation, it breaks down barriers and gives underrepresented individuals the opportunity to thrive in fields where they have historically been excluded. This diversity is not only ethically and morally valuable, but it also leads to better outcomes and innovations by bringing together a variety of perspectives and experiences. When I struggle to find a culturally competent therapist, it is not because people of Color are unambitious or dunce. Nope. It is because historically, they were not allowed the opportunity to receive the necessary education or training. These continue to be systemic obstacles to equity.

The value of affirmative action:

Without such measures as affirmative action, the inertia of existing power structures can perpetuate inequality and hinder progress toward a more just and inclusive society. Conversely, I acknowledge that affirmative action is not a permanent solution. Its goal is to eliminate the need for such measures by dismantling the systemic barriers that prevent equal access and opportunities. To restructure our systems to be more inclusive, we must address the underlying issues that perpetuate discrimination.

One such issue is the blindness, nonchalance, silence, and outright apathy of those who deny the existence of racism, racist practices, and who deny that racism is sin. Racism is sin because it is directly connected to deliberate measures of discrimination. Such behavior is diametrically opposed to the message of Jesus Christ who warned against the harm of unjustly privileging certain people over others. The rejection of affirmative action stands in stark contrast to the Gospel and Jesus' command to love one's neighbor as oneself. This same Jesus taught us to embrace justice and advocate for the marginalized.

The church’s response:

If the church and those who claim to follow Jesus are committed to repenting from the sin of racism, it must reject its blindness, take courage, and actively seek to transform the discriminatory practices in the church and societal practices. The Government is not going to do this. It is the responsibility of the disciples of Jesus Christ to truly act like Jesus.

Sadly, however, there are too many Christians who continue to vote for people whose behaviors contradict the teachings of Jesus, rejecting the model that every human life is of sacred worth. 

What is it again that the Lord requires? Something about doing justice…. mercy…. humility. Hmmm. 

Now, don't get me started on legacy admissions, and how the frigging SAT scores have racism and economic subjugation embedded in them. 🤬  

What now?

Since we do not yet live in a just society, when a measure such as affirmative action is removed, what alternative is there to move the society in a direction away from evil, injustice, and oppression? Talk about it in the comments. 

#affirmativeaction #justice #righteousness #equality #equity

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

When Courage Meets Cruelty

Juneteenth: Elusive Freedom

Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome