Hacker News Reader

Comment by gambiting | Hacker News Reader

But you seem to equate the acknowledgement that some people have it worse with segregation. That by saying some social groups have it worse due to the centuries of injustices and therefore they should have temporary preferential treatment to reduce(key word here) their poverty levels is to perpetuate segregation. It's not, because the opportunities given to different groups are not equal specifically as the result of earlier segregation.

So if you don't help them out now, that's what's increasing segregation because their state doesn't improve, we never reach the state of equality of opportunity if some sides have a permanent handicap due to earlier injustices. You're saying that helping out is what perpetuates segregation - it's the exact opposite.

View on HN

I think you are missing the point that the other poster is attempting to argue. If you look at the recent revival and rejuvenation of alt-right and far right politics that has recently occurred in the US and actually look at their media what it is that they are saying? It isn't some racist screed it is things like complaining that college admissions are no longer fair for white or asian males. Immigration issues are often framed as being not about hate of a minority but about the potential loss of opportunities for white/asian men in society.

The main complaint that has driven this entire recent cycle of upswing in alt-right and far right movements is this preferential treatment and critiques of it. Young white men who complain about college admission inequality get sucked into a siphon of hatred at inequality and preferential treatment that ends in racism. So like the other person was trying to argue, "helping out is what perpetuates segregation". This inequality breeds statistically significant increases in racial hatred even if it has a good intent.

That is like saying “don’t you understand! they were killed in the past, just let them do a little killing now to equilibrate things.”

Sometimes the opposite action is not what is needed to regain balance.

Affirmative action is what is keeping them poor. Segregation is what is keeping them poor. Give them special treatment and that is all you’ll make them, special, not equal. Integration, real integration which includes competition is what is needed. They need to earn their place because that is the only sure way they’ll keep it, and that is the only way others will respect them enough to treat them equally.

>> They need to earn their place because that is the only sure way they’ll keep it, and that is the only way others will respect them enough to treat them equally.

I mean, you went full on racist here. I imagine you weren't planning to, but just read that sentence back a few times.

It's like.....yeah we(as American society) treated you like shit, denied you every opportunity, and now the only way to make things right is for you to compete and prove that we can respect you and treat you equally.

Like, again, just read what you're even saying. It's far more scary than anything I've said.

> I mean, you went full on racist here. I imagine you weren't planning to, but just read that sentence back a few times.

Wow, the segregationist calling others racist.

Good bye.

>>I thought I was talking to someone mature

If that's any consolation - so did I, but then you suggested that opressed groups have to earn respect to be treated equally. Should have come out with that line right at the beginning and saved us both a good amount of time.

Hey, I have read the discussion between you and insert_coin and I think you have slightly misunderstood what they are saying. From what I see, both of you are for improved lives of the historically-oppressed minorities in America. insert_coin said "I’m not saying do nothing" and I think that points to them disagreeing with the means taken to achieve the desired outcome (i.e. better lives for the minorities).

Reply on news.ycombinator.com