Your article citation doesn’t help much. The evidence the author offers that King would support modern-day affirmative action is extraordinarily thin; four stunted quotations is hardly the definitive comeback to Rob’s assertions. It looks like this writer just cherry-picked his own set of quotations to create his article (after creating a straw-man by saying that the other side had only one quote to work with.)

Suppose for a moment, though, that King really would have supported affirmative action; all that does is create a tension between that position and the “content of character” rhetoric that has garnered near-universal agreement. Then he’d have to face the same question modern-day proponents have to face: when is enough enough, and do the benefits outweigh the continuing use of judging by skin color (part and parcel of the original problem)?

Of course, that requires that we treat him as a man and a thinker instead of an icon we can use to slam opponents on OUR issues, which is exactly what you and Willis and Myers are doing. Besides, if we conservatives cannot “claim” him, why demand we respect him with a holiday? Is it really about honoring someone whose contributions toward harmony and unity are held up as a example for ALL Americans, or is it about you making the other side admit it’s wrong?

For my part, I DO honor Dr. King, not least of which for his appeal to God’s law over human law and his Biblical justification for the renunciation of hatred in nonviolent protests. And I will also contend his rhetoric of “content of character” is universal and applicable today and that his scattered quotations about affirmative action-like programs is tactical and tied to a world that has changed drastically in 40 years. And I will finally say that if you insist on being the arbiter of what can and can’t be said and accuse me of bad faith when I disagree, then you can go to blazes!

Thankfully, with this post, you disenfranchise the few who may have considered you thoughtful and clear minded.

Because it’s simply your little anecdote that can’t be proven. How convenient for you.

Even black kids with decent backgrounds get judged on their skin and not their ability with stunning regularity.

Dude. Look in the mirror. You support this kind of thinking and behavior.

You guys can’t seriously claim such things have no impact nor are they not continuing mindsets that are an extension of segregation and other racial ills.

Huh? I’ve never seen forced segregation here in America in my lifetime. Lived in five different states, many different cities, and different types of neighborhoods. People my age (25) are only using this an an excuse for their own shortcomings. This might be somewhat of an excuse for the older generations…but even then I’d have to say, “grow up and move the hell on.”

I don’t think affirmative action is perfect, but simply throwing out any sort of program that addresses the race disparity in this nation is tantamount to saying to black America: ‘We’re going to pretend like everything is all better now. We’re going to tell you to work hard, keep your nose to the grindstone, and in the long run — pass you over. Enjoy!’

No it’s not! It’s tantimont to saying “we’re going to judge you based on merit, talent, skill, hard work, personality, etc.; NOT your skin color.”

Why is that so hard for you to accept or believe?

Damn Oliver. You seem so pre-occupied with skin color. Notice that no other racial group in America (with the exception of “Hispanics”) gets special treatment. You think the Asians don’t get spit on and discriminated against? And lo and behold!; they are some of the wealthiest and most successful Americans. Hmm…wonder why. Maybe it’s because they aren’t crying, “I’m a victim, I deserve this”. Maybe, just maybe, it’s because they just go out there and do it instead of crying.

Sheesh…

Eh, apparently you missed the above, which any black person who supports [sic] Afirmative Action would take as racist and as an insult.

Well, I might have meant this as an insult, but not a racist one… But the point is, why would you support affirmative action, unless you think that people are not capable of competing on their own merit? That’s just the opposite of racist. Affirmative action is RACIST.

On a lighter note:
“Affirmative action” = “Minorities can’t achieve on their own.”

“Infirmative Action” = “Guys can’t get it up on their own”

Striking similarities!!! They make a little blue pill for one… there’s no good fix for the other.

I want to live my life because of MY success! Not because someone took pity on me because my skin is colored. I guess you like the free meal just because you look like your ancient ancestry originated in Africa. How sad!

Eh, apparently you missed the above, which any black person who supports Afirmative Action would take as racist and as an insult. Whatever. Do me a favor Rob, if you dont want to hear things counter to your belief system, dont quote me or my blog, I think I have much more cred in the blogsphere for being open to oppossing points of view than you or Seth. You will note the number of conservative blogs that link me, and that have offered plaudits to ISOU. I dont have a problem with oppossing points of view. I have a problem with stupid, racist people who are too stupid to realize they are racist.

‘Nuff said.

I don’t think affirmative action is perfect, but simply throwing out any sort of program that addresses the race disparity in this nation is tantamount to saying to black America: “We’re going to pretend like everything is all better now. We’re going to tell you to work hard, keep your nose to the grindstone, and in the long run — pass you over. Enjoy!”