So, let me ask everyone a question… and present an opinion.
Race. Why is this still an issue? Why can’t we look past it as much as we aspire to? Now, granted, many of us do (or at least believe we do). But “we” as a society – do “we” all look past it? I think that answer is still no. Why is that?
Over the years we’ve tried things like Affirmative Action, which in many cases has been a failure, simply because a system that is effectively a quota-based hiring program doesn’t work (and that’s the way AA was most often implemented). We need to focus deeper. We need to think bigger.
This is a conversation about equity. Not about redistribution, and not about setting aside one group’s rights in favor of another. Equity, in this context, is about setting the foundations to level the playing field of opportunities. Opportunity Zones (set up by the Evil Orange One, I know), were great steps in the Equity continuum. They provided tangible incentives for capital investments in underserved areas. That differs tremendously from pouring artificial assistance and aide into those zones (the prior government attempts); it provided a path for longevity and growth in the local economy through industry re-introduction, jobs, wage growth, and community revitalization. That trickled into schools, local government services, etc. And by the way – when those areas revitalize, time and again crime rates have dropped.
Shouldn’t we focus on paths to spread industry even further across the country? Shouldn’t we discourage “regional pockets” for automotive manufacturing, textile manufacturing, software and high-tech development, etc.? Some of this is already happening, but shouldn’t we strive to seriously accelerate that movement?
Shouldn’t we evolve our thinking about how to set up everyone from early ages onward to be globally competitive?
Shouldn’t we focus harder on education and private partnerships? Why do we have STEM schools? Shouldn’t we strive to have early and continual student assessments to provide STEM-based and vocational-based (and other) programs through private partnerships? Why can’t we have programs that rotate through schools to provide this type of education and knowledge to everyone; not just the wealthier schools and districts?
When are we going to invest in re-engaging our kids in activities? We see what’s happening to generations of kids that are left to find their own way: Gangs. Crime. Drugs. Bullying. Gaming (that is addictive and increasingly violent and realistic). Obesity. Depression. Anxiety. Isolation. Poor academic performance. Etc.
And no – this isn’t about pouring money into schools. Teacher unions don’t get to dictate this. Sorry. That ship sailed and sank.
Pouring government funds into “union jobs” isn’t the answer. Pouring money into schools isn’t the answer. But there are plenty – seriously plenty – of ways to improve the job market (current adults) while also improving educational building blocks (adults in training) while also improving society markers and indicators (all of us). We need to think outside the box to get there. The old path has probably been exhausted; time to think of the next phase – the “new path”.
One thing that keeps creeping up in my mind: When someone talks about “race” I have to chuckle a bit. How many of us are tied to just one race? Seriously? Our melting pot has worked. We have thousands of derivations of ethnicity in America. That’s who we are. We’ve aligned by proxy into roughly five or six groups. Really, those groups are only statistics-drivers. My opinion: There really isn’t a true “race” conversation we should be having anymore. Now the conversation should be about finding where opportunities are rich, and where they are falling behind, and focusing on accelerating them to that point of equity. This has been a talking point for a while, but we’re not effectively getting there.
And by the way: When we type-cast someone into a group and keep driving that notion into their heads, they’ll eventually succumb to that belief. Isn’t it interesting how someone in a professional environment fits in well with all those around him or her? But then they go home that night and are sometimes in an environment that none of us suspected? Maybe they aspire to improve that environment, maybe they’re content as it is. But when given the opportunity to not be plugged into a type-cast persona when they applied for (and won) the job, they’re just as smart, talented, creative, and valuable as their peers. But setting them up for success is where we need to still focus and improve. Food for thought.
