So do you guys want to know what I think is wrong with politics today? I give exhibit A, this entire thread. Basically people looking at differences in outcome along statistical lines and not considering that maybe there are underlying differences that aren't exactly being considered other than 'racism' or 'patriarchy'. (I agree there is some racism and sexism in the world, but it comes from every side and as far as I can tell it isn't that bad here relative to other parts of the world.)
I find this disingenuous at best.
The alternative to statistics is anecdotes. Anecdotes aren't good enough for you. I can give you story after story after story of black people, women, other minorities being treated badly and you will ignore it.
"That's just that woman." "Well, what did that black guy do that the cops beat him up?"
You'll gloss over and find excuses to ignore each case. So we look at the en masse result of treatment, and what do we see?
Black people just somehow end up living where education systems are the worst.
Women just magically end up not getting very far in politics.
Believe it or not, scientists do look at the underlying trends that lead to black people having shorter life expectancies. Do you honestly think the entire scientific apparatus just stops at "Look! Racism!" and then shrugs and walks away? What kind of stupid would that be? The issues underlying the situation are numerous and well researched.
But you can't seriously come here without noting that the United States was founded with slavery. When it abolished that, they fought through Jim Crow and then through a Civil Rights Act that was needed just so black people could eat at the same restaurants and get service at gas stations as white people. That's nuts. It is not reasonable to pretend your nation has been cured of all of its racist ills - both conscious and unconscious - in such a short time. Especially not when all of the statistical markers of slavery and poor treatment (from health care, through employment and education) are still waving the same red flags that have stood for over a century.
Toque.