To Kris

Rishi wrote:1. Do you support the policy of affirmative action for African Americans and American Indians in education and employment?
2. Do you support the reservation for SC/ST/BC/OBC/MBC in education and employment?

Whether you answer is yes or no, please give reasons why you feel that way.

Kris wrote:

Rishi wrote:1. Do you support the policy of affirmative action for African Americans and American Indians in education and employment?
2. Do you support the reservation for SC/ST/BC/OBC/MBC in education and employment?

Whether you answer is yes or no, please give reasons why you feel that way.

>>>No. These programs have produced mixed results at best, after years of good  money being thrown after bad. I will restrict myself here to 'affirmative action' since I have been out of the loop for quite awhile on the 'reservations' issue in India, although there may be many similarities. I would agree with your assertion in the other thread that certain groups  have had psychological scars due to history, with respect to African Americans and Native Americans. Possibly many groups in the lower rungs of the Indian caste ladder fall into this category as well. It would be unfair to say 'well, that was then, today is a new day, let's move on' and wash our hands off of the issue. The flip side of this is an unending gravy train with no accountability. The latter is simply a feel-good strategy and a Band-Aid solution, which is what 'affirmative action' has turned out to be. It also breeds resentment among the majority and stigmatizes the people on the receiving end, because it is based on lowering standards to accommodate them. My suggestion would be to attack the problem at the root, by enhancing education at the foundation (school level)with better teachers and facilities and stop the differential standards at the college-entry level. On  a related note, limit any special treatment at the collegiate level to financial help alone to people who are demonstrably economically disadvantaged, but are otherwise equal (in merit) or exceed their peers. This may cut across racial lines, but will probably be heavily be weighted in favor of disadvantaged minorities.