Democracy doesn’t magic us into equality
There are certainly issues worth debating related to affirmative action. Sunset clauses are one, and whether we should focus on class rather than race is another. But it’s beyond any reasonable doubt that one generation is far too short a time to think that a black job-seeker has an equal shot of success as a white one does.
Attention, white people in South Africa!
The impulse to think equality can only be effected by eliminating affirmative action is understandable. But we shouldn’t have discussions around discrimination without recognising that both fair and unfair discrimination are possible, and that an argument can be made that some racial discrimination might be entirely fair. When you reject that possibility out of hand, it’s hard to avoid questioning your motives, and your commitment to eventual non-racism.
SAA and justified racial discrimination
Solidarity, the DA and Freedom Front Plus were among the voices calling for SAA to scrap its plans for an allegedly racist cadet scheme. But if it’s excellence, or merit, that we’re looking to find, then we shouldn’t discount the possibility that you can only find it if you look harder – and in places that you might not look without affirmative action measures such as this.
The Second Sexism
Prof. David Benatar’s book “The Second Sexism” has attracted a rather hostile reception. But some of Benatar’s critics seem so offended by the book’s premise that they’re unwilling to engage with its arguments – or sometimes, to even read the book in order to make an informed assessment.
