The morally dubious power of identity
Political ·Tuesday August 10, 2010 @ 22:11 EDT (link)
Some speakers and writers I've been reading or listening to lately include:
- Jennifer Burke, conservative teacher (and wife of congressional candidate Matthew Burke)—opposes Obama, affirmative action, etc.
- Thomas Sowell, libertarian conservative economist—against "reverse" discrimination, negative and self-destructive aspects of black culture and communities, blame, government handouts and dependency on same.
- Greg Perry, libertarian writer—against the ADA and the government "helping" disabled people that don't need or want it, in fact harming them.
These are good spokespeople against or advisers of others that are of the same particular class or group as them; yet they should not be necessary. Or, rather, it should not be necessary that a person be part of the same class as a person or legislation being criticized to attain immunity or be taken seriously. (This is also entirely distinct from their experience which can be invaluable.) Some see it as more powerful to hear from a black person that Obama is a bad president—because it takes away the fallacious claim of racism, for one thing, or from a disabled person that the ADA is generally detrimental waste—but it should not be so. Facts and arguments should stand alone despite the source. And I would recommend reading or hearing any of the people listed entirely on their own merits.
