Diversity Is the New Racism

I was going to write a letter on this topic until I saw that someone else had pretty much said all I had to say on the subject..  Thought I was an original thinker---but that old objectivist and standard bearer for the individual, Ayn Rand, apparently inspired some other individuals who, on this subject, think exactly like I do (how conformist).

The only Ayn Rand novel I've read, a long time ago, is Fountainhead.  I loved it, as a self-righteous young landscape architect expecting to take the world by storm--always staying true to my singular creative vision, of course.  Since then, the "world" and I have become much less sanguine about my exceptionalism, and I've lost much of my admiration for the sanctity of talent over wise and observant experience. (Too bad the 2008 electorate didn't share this insight.) 

But have I gone full circle philosophically and returned to my youthful fling with objectivism just because I agree with Ayn Rand adherents on the issue of multiculturism? I shy away from objectivism now, unwilling to invest time in a re-examination of that philosophy, perhaps for some of the same reasons otherwise intelligent liberal Democrats refuse to honestly engage Republican ideas of self-reliance and limited government intervention as superior to the (ineffective, but emotionally satsifying) "compassion" agenda of the Welfare State. These Democrats instinctively and permanently attach the stigma of greed and self-interest to Republicans, much as I cannot align myself wholeheartedly with libertarianism (which I--mistakenly or not-- identify as part and parcel with objectivism) due to its proponents' rabid isolationism (international and domestic).  And since I've found a moral and intellectual home in neoconservatism, I've no need to try to squeeze into the libertarian/objectivist box.  I would hazard an unresearched guess that many neocons agree with Ayn Rand and me about the virutes of Diversity Programs anyway.

The dream of a post-racial America, seemingly within our grasp with the election of a purportedly moderate African-American President, is still far from realization.  In my mind, every new diversity "training" workshop and affirmative action program  pushes that goal further away.

In response to legislation that would provide dollars and power to "ethnic" Hawaiians by virtue of their race, Ray Parker, of Annapolis, expresses my sentiments exactly:
                    
          Letter To The Editor, Wall Street Journal, March 5, 2010

        "The current congressional effort to grant ethnic Hawaiians the powers and privileges of self-government--including authority to tax and of eminent domain--is the latest example of the Democratic Party's schizophrenia when it comes to race relations. On the one hand, the Party encourages and exploits ethnic identities and grievances to build its big-tent coalition, while on the other hand it preaches an idealistic "we are one" sermon to anyone who's not in the tent. Those who are not supportive of ethnic-based privileges are labeled racists and bigots; to avoid those labels, one must be colorblind but in favor of racial preferences."

Yep.