Nom de Plume wrote on Aug 20
th, 2021 at 3:28pm:
I contend that ideas of race and gender are, respectively racist and sexist. More than that, it is deeply unethical and serves no purpose in today's society. I see no reason for individuals to identify as anything other than human and subsequently worthy of all the rights and duties entailed.
Where there are 'perceived' differences, ethical philosophy has responded with equitable approaches. Sadly though, too many ignore equity and the right to equal consideration of interests. This lack of philosophical empathy for the 'other' is what is driving so much social unrest and conflict.
Take for example sport and gender: Equal consideration allows us to appreciate the significant biological differences between the two archetypal genders. Those differences however, must not impinge upon a person's right to play sport. The solution then is to have three groups... male, female and mixed. In this way, people can compete fairly against each other. Those who do not identify with their birth gender move to the mixed teams.
Race is an absurd term which has no regard for a person's ethnicity which does matter. We cannot compare the Saami people with other white folks, just because they are white, nor can we compare the Arrernte people with other black folks just because they are black.
Applying this to education and the need to give equal consideration to all, it is most reasonable to claim that those public schools performing poorly receive more funding than those who are performing well. Skin color must not factor into this equation!
There are exceptions that pertain to tribal peoples, such as the Saami and Arrernte previously mentioned which are beyond the scope of this discussion but never beyond the scope of individual rights, duties and equal consideration.
So thanks for reading and I hope to hear your take on this.
This is simplifying differences out of existence. Absurd. Silly.
Sex differences are real, natural and obvious. Having equal rights in law doesn't change that fact of difference.
Race is is more of a spectrum than a binary either/or like sex. But the Saami have more in common with other Finns and Scandinavians and Europeans than with the Arrernte or with other Australian Aborigines.
To say that there are no recognisable differences such as sex and race and that we do not, all of us, apply this sort of recognised difference in every day is silly. These differences - sex, race, age, demeanour, bearing, clothes, fatness, appearance etc, etc - are all meaning-bearing aspects of every person and we all perceive and read these meaning. We cannot help but read these meanings -"first impressions count. They are subject to ongoing revision and reinterpretation as more becomes known about another person - don't judge a book by its cover. But the essential point remains - we read the features presented by another person all the time and their race, sex, age, manner etc are all part of the meaning.
Let's see if you think race and sex are irrelevant in this news item:
Three men sought by police in Birmingham Gay Village attack probe
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