The Inherent Bigotry Of Affirmative Action Programs
In Oregon the Department of Transportation has a policy of giving preferential treatment to bids on contracts made by minority-owned businesses. In fact, many of its projects include requirements for hiring minority-owned contractors.
In the past no specific minority was singled out for special treatment, but recently ODOT has started specific requirements for African American and Asian American-owned businesses.
Which, of course, ticked off businesses owned by minorities who aren’t black or Asian. One Native American contractor suggested: “We are now a minority that is being discriminated against.”
Of course, there’s a thin line between Gene being upset about other racial demographics getting special treatment and wondering why any specific racial demographic in particular should get special treatment. If ODOT includes Native Americans in the next project, what about female-owned businesses? What about Jewish-owned businesses? What about Muslim-owned businesses?
And if all of those groups are included, what about businesses owned by white men? Would would it be fair to give special treatment to businesses owned by every demographic except white men?
Wouldn’t it make more sense to forget about race or gender or religion and just hire contractors based on who can do the best job for the least amount of money?
