In our class discussion, we compared the idea that only members of a certain race should be able to make decisions about what is best for that race to the issue of governing bodies (which are composed of men) making decisions about abortion (an issue that mostly concerns women). It seems that this Representative, Janet Long, feels strongly about women making decisions for women. But would she also say that whites, Latinos, Asians, etc. should "stand down" and let African Americans make legislative decisions for themselves? And then should everyone in turn "stand down" and let those who identify as Asians make decisions their own legislative decisions? It seems that this process would result in a farce of a political system. It seems that our political system is founded on the basis that members of different groups collectively make a decision based on what is best for the whole. If we allow self-interest to not only dominate but effectively legislate (not that that issue isn't already present given the enormous white majority), it seems that our budget deficit would be even scarier than it is now, but that our Congressional body would have even lower approval ratings.
President Obama walks fine line on race, justice
11 years ago
I have often heard women discussing the idea that men should not be in charge of making abortion legislation. This idea makes some in regards to women, but I think that you cannot draw this idea past racial lines. The lines that separate races are much more complicated that the lines that separate sexes. Women encompass a group that is extremely diverse while racial groups are more specific and numerous. I don’t think it makes sense to extend her idea of women making decisions for women to the context of race. I think it is interesting that she is telling the majority male legislators to stand down, yet with other legislation the white majority makes decisions without responders saying they are unfit to speak for their varied constituents.
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