What would you propose as policy and/or programs to eliminate racism in the American economy?

[jeffrcal]

I would go further in my criticism of affirmative action. According to Shelby Steele the vast majority of the beneficiaries of affirmative action programs are middle class blacks and hispanics or white women. Such policies have nothing to do with relieving economic stress among poor blacks.

Moreover, by their nature such programs are win/lose rather than win/win. As such they alienate whites, particularly white males and thus serve to perpetuate racism.

If by racial disparities you are talking about equality of outcomes then that is simply not a realistic goal. Of the twenty-four ethnic groups tracked by the U.S. census bureau Greek-Americans have the highest average level of education and the second highest per capita income. Does this mean that Greeks are persecuting the rest of us? Rather, is it simply that education and income go hand in hand and those cultures that value education more than others achieve greater material success?

So, I would propose eliminating all government backed racist programs like affirmative action and instead focus on more equitable distribution of state resources particularly education. Spending the same amount per student in rich and poor neighborhoods will produce greater equality of opportunity. If this fails to produce equality of outcomes so be it. That is something that people not governments need to change for themselves.

Peace.