Showing posts with label discrimination. Show all posts
Showing posts with label discrimination. Show all posts

Thursday, October 12, 2017

The Imperative of Integration

The Imperative of Integration by Elizabeth Anderson, Paperback book: 246 pages

Elizabeth Anderson's central argument is that the way to address racial inequality is through integration. She makes her argument by citing statistics from a myriad of studies and through philosophical arguments.

Anderson argues that segregation causes inequality. Segregation leads to inequalities in the four forms of capital: financial, social, human and cultural. One example related to social capital is that segregation prevents African Americans from being part of social networks that would help them get better jobs.

Segregation also lead to stereotyping and stigmatization so that while people may not consciously be prejudiced they may be unconsciously discriminating because of negative views that are used for judgment.

 Unfortunately, arguing for integration is easier than figuring out ways to carry it out. That may leave some who would read this book disappointed. Anderson does argue for the continuation of affirmative action and programs that would allow people to move so they can integrate.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

It's Dangerous To Believe

It's Dangerous to BelieveIt's Dangerous To Believe: Religious Freedom and Its Enemies by Mary Eberstadt, 126 pages

According to Mary Eberstadt, there is a rising tide of anti-Christian sentiment and action in the United States particularly and the West generally.  Increasingly, as she chronicles, Christian churches and charitable institutions are facing potentially ruinous litigation intended to force them to conform their beliefs and practices to the prevailing orthodoxy, while individual Christians face a growing pattern of discrimination in hiring and college admissions.  This new orthodoxy, though it considers itself entirely secular and even "scientific", holds its dogmas as articles of faith, primary among them the unsullied goodness of the "liberation" brought about by the sexual revolution.

Eberstadt identifies similarities between the anti-Christian atmosphere of today and that which surrounded past witch hunts from Salem to the McMartins. particularly in the preternatural powers the marginalized group is imagined to possess.  Christians are held up for ridicule without fear of censure, much less violence, yet simultaneously imagined as participating in a massive conspiracy to install a theocratic government.  They are thus both open to attack and bereft of sympathy.  Beyond the increasingly narrow promises of "freedom of worship" which have replaced the traditional understanding of "freedom of religion", a grudging peace can only be purchased with the pinch of incense to Caesar or the sign in the greengrocer's window.

Eberstadt's ostensible goal - stated at the outset and repeated throughout the book - is to convince progressive advocates of tolerance and diversity that those values ought to include Christians as well.  It is difficult to believe that this book will succeed.  Partially this is because it is doubtful that it will be read by that audience, partially because the ingrained prejudice is too deep.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Earth Girl

http://slpl.sdp.sirsi.net/client/catalog/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:1227442/one?qu=earth+girl+%2F+janet+edwards&te=ILSEarth Girl by Janet Edwards
263 Pages

Krista R. had previously reviewed this book and I read it based upon her recommendation.  Thus I'll keep the synopsis brief.  Jarra is one of those few individuals who are unable live off earth.  They remain on Earth, which is now a backwater and those who can't leave are referred to derogatorily as "Apes".  Upon turning 18, she decides to follow her love of history and study on Earth, but pretending to be from off world, so that she won't be discriminated against. 

The book was interesting and Edwards created a new world from an old planet.  There were only two criticisms I had.  Firstly,  Edwards tended to be a bit repetitive at times, with Jarra's insecurities.  Secondly,  the font chosen by the publisher is awful.  The type is small and odd. 

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Cop Town

Cop Town by Karin Slaughter,  402 pages

I don't read mysteries nearly as much as I used to, but my love for Karin Slaughter has not dissipated. I discovered her when I worked at ShopnSave and hit up the book section for something to read on break. She has 2 very good series (Will Trent and Grant County), but this book is a stand-alone.
Set in the 1970s, it deals with the Atlanta Police force (Slaughter is from Atlanta). Someone is methodically killing cops and the men on the police force are too busy drinking and degrading the female cops to get anything solved. So, it's up to Maggie and Kate, two female officers, to solve the crime. Luckily, their friend Gail, who works vice, knows a pimp who has a girl with some information.
Slaughter captures much of the racial discontent of the time, as well as the discrimination women still faced in the workplace, specifically in law enforcement.
The plotline and characters of this book will quickly suck you in and hold your interest, which is true of all Slaughter's books.
Warning: Karin does tend to be quite graphic with her depictions and descriptions of the crimes in her novels, so reader beware.
P.S. Karin Slaughter will be at Central Library Tuesday, July 15th at 7:00pm in the Carnegie room!