Sometimes our feelings get in the way of reality and we don't fully understand how things are done or how the game is played.
In my travels, I have met a lot of blacks who did not want the system to give them anything. I have met a lot of blacks who have worked very hard to get to the positions they are in, but the one thing in my life experiences is that whites don't allow blacks to compete with them. Most often another position is created if they have to promote a qualified black. Sperm and Sweet let me assure you all that I understand what you are saying and I hope it is that you don't want anyone to give you anything, but let me assure you that I have always felt that way, but the system has a way to stop those of us who want to compete at the highest level. Just as I was told, if you will not become an organizational person then we will find a black that will. These type of folks will go home after accepting BS on the job; being less than a man, then go home and tell their children to be strong. When you stand up for truth and right your head will be blooded often.
AA is a necessary evil, but it works. Now suppose the military which has done a lot in the AA Arena decided not to do business with companies who will not hire qualified blacks, these companies would fail.
We have an unequal education system in America and it is not going to go away. Education is often used as a weapon to discredit blacks rather than be used as the process to allow us to reach our highest potential.
If the system was fair then I would say yes get rid of it, but we are not even close to being fair.
In America we have what I call a one up on you.
In America we all like the same things, but the one up will kill you.
When I go shopping I see a lot of those folk who retired with one grade higher than mine and they are still one up.
Sperm, as I went through the system, it was my goal to ensure that I hired as many blacks as possible and believe me blacks are qualified. But in order to do what I did you have to know what system you are dealing with. For example, I was questioned at one point why I hired so many blacks. I said, when I get a referral list, it contains 8 blacks and two whites. Then I would explain that the whites did beat out two of the blacks but it is impossible for the two to beat out all eight. Now how did that many blacks stack up in the first place? They were all good and well qualified. By going through the system I learned to use the same words that was used on me.
There was a freeze on hiring and their was a pre meeting prior to the meeting I was to attend, but being me I always arrive early. I learned that those supervisors who were in the good old boy network were given premission to hire some new people. Then I got igroant, when I walk in on this and the next question was do you have someone you would like to hire. I said yes and I was told to hire who I wanted to. I didn't have anyone to hire, but I went out and found me one. You mentioned competition and what should be done, but let me tell you this is the real comeptition that I just mentioned. Why do people keep telling us to play golf, because a lot of decision are made on the course.
The #1 guy comes in and say grab your bag and let's go to the Gym. We get to the gym and he says what do you think about old Jim. Now if I say old Jim is not worth a isht, it probably will stand. Then it is me that denied old jim. I would say Jim is an outstanding employee and now my gym invites are down the drain.
Make no mistake, we are not talking about the same thing as it relates to AA.
I am an expert on this topic, believe I have live through it.