The meaninglessness of words...
As I strolled out of my university's library towards a coffee shop, I was abruptly grasped by an older woman and asked if I supported equal rights. "Of course," I spout off without thinking twice about it. She then implored me to sign some petition. Being the indecisive skeptic with some modicum of understanding of politics, I inquired about the details of the petition. The older woman initially would say nothing more than it is something anyone who believes in equal rights should sign. When I questioned her how this petition supporting some undefined referendum would add anything beyond the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, 1965, 1981, and the many other related Equal Opportunity legislation currently enacted, the little interaction became a bit more interesting... and saddening. She started down the conservative talking point list. "This petition is against quota systems." I coolly inform her that quota systems are illegal and not in any of the Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity laws currently in place. She is beyond discussing the facts. She is compelled to use scare tactics. "How would you feel about being the most qualified person by far and then being passed over for a job because some company needs to meet some quota? How would you feel about losing a job to someone with less merit than you? How would you feel about losing a job to someone just because they were polka-dotted and you were white?" Living in the neo-conservative cesspool home to Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family, Ted Haggard, New Life Church, and countless other self-righteously-oriented think tanks, I am well-versed in responding to this type of jarring doublespeak. I responded, "I am a middle-class white male with a graduate-level education. I need no added advantages in this life. Countless others are far less privileged than I and need all of the assistance they can get." She doesn't listen and reverts to her talking points. Knowing this will go nowhere productive, I interjected: "Good luck with your petition and have a nice day," and continued on my way to the coffee shop.
As I eagerly awaited my caffeine and muffin breakfast, I was able to see the older woman who had just badgered me continue to badger most students as they exited the library. Sadly, few asked any questions and signed the petition after she appeared to make her seemingly scripted initial statement..."If you believe in equal rights, you should sign this petition." In the five or ten minutes that I waited, she probably collected a dozen signatures.
Some people will inevitably support legislation that elevates them above those with less privilege in life, but I find it hard to believe that most college-educated individuals would feel compelled to further push down those already below them and who struggle more in their lives to even reach a similar point as the college-educated folks.
Sad.
As I eagerly awaited my caffeine and muffin breakfast, I was able to see the older woman who had just badgered me continue to badger most students as they exited the library. Sadly, few asked any questions and signed the petition after she appeared to make her seemingly scripted initial statement..."If you believe in equal rights, you should sign this petition." In the five or ten minutes that I waited, she probably collected a dozen signatures.
Some people will inevitably support legislation that elevates them above those with less privilege in life, but I find it hard to believe that most college-educated individuals would feel compelled to further push down those already below them and who struggle more in their lives to even reach a similar point as the college-educated folks.
Sad.