Every individual, regardless of creed, race, national origin, sex, color, age, disability and yes, even sexual orientation, should strive within a system in which all have the opportunity to excel based on merit. I emphasize opportunity-not right, not entitlement and not a preference. Thereby all benefit when we live in such a system because the best in such a system will invariably rise to the top and lead us.
The term, "protected class," is unfortunate because its legal meaning bears no resemblance to its common meaning. Under our laws "protected classes" such as sex, race, etc. are not shielded from the exigencies of competition, nor are they exempt from the rules that we all must adhere to, it simply means that when adverse action is taken against them merely due to their race, sex, etc. they have recourse in a court of law. Nor does the law favor one sex, race or "protected class" over another. White police officers and fire fighters have asserted their rights under those same laws and prevailed.
Now I am not so naive to think this reality vitiates many of your disagreements with these laws, yet it puts the discussion on track about the real issues. It is that I believe human nature is such that without such laws people devolve into cabals and antagonistic factions like those I became familiar with in the Ukraine, in other divisive world regions, and that existed in the South before the passage of civil rights laws ending Jim Crow etc.
Many think human nature is such that it does not matter how much power, wealth, fame and influence someone acquires because since they in theory got their by their own merit (often true) they will make the right decisions and act in the best interest of all of society instead of their own.
My experience has taught me that this is, unfortunately, not true. Due to the petty weakness of human nature, some protections are needed. The rich, powerful and famous, though either more clever and able than many or more fortunate, still suffer from the same shortcomings and are no different than the ancient Kings and Queens of Europe that caused so much misery when they were above the rule of law.
Now, how civil rights laws are implemented is a whole different subject. Never forget that when Caucasians are in the minority a 100 years from now, all us whities might really appreciate our civil rights laws.
Loren M. Lambert © March 1, 2014
The term, "protected class," is unfortunate because its legal meaning bears no resemblance to its common meaning. Under our laws "protected classes" such as sex, race, etc. are not shielded from the exigencies of competition, nor are they exempt from the rules that we all must adhere to, it simply means that when adverse action is taken against them merely due to their race, sex, etc. they have recourse in a court of law. Nor does the law favor one sex, race or "protected class" over another. White police officers and fire fighters have asserted their rights under those same laws and prevailed.
Now I am not so naive to think this reality vitiates many of your disagreements with these laws, yet it puts the discussion on track about the real issues. It is that I believe human nature is such that without such laws people devolve into cabals and antagonistic factions like those I became familiar with in the Ukraine, in other divisive world regions, and that existed in the South before the passage of civil rights laws ending Jim Crow etc.
Many think human nature is such that it does not matter how much power, wealth, fame and influence someone acquires because since they in theory got their by their own merit (often true) they will make the right decisions and act in the best interest of all of society instead of their own.
My experience has taught me that this is, unfortunately, not true. Due to the petty weakness of human nature, some protections are needed. The rich, powerful and famous, though either more clever and able than many or more fortunate, still suffer from the same shortcomings and are no different than the ancient Kings and Queens of Europe that caused so much misery when they were above the rule of law.
Now, how civil rights laws are implemented is a whole different subject. Never forget that when Caucasians are in the minority a 100 years from now, all us whities might really appreciate our civil rights laws.
Loren M. Lambert © March 1, 2014
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