10-19-2017, 10:07 AM
(10-18-2017, 09:19 PM)Dill Wrote: I am trying to reconcile that statement with the progress that "identity" groups have made over the last 60 years. Since the 1950s, it seems to me that the civil rights of, women, African Americans and LGBT Americans are much more secure now than when I was young. And this is in part because of federal legislation, which had to be introduced by some party other. Certainly Republicans helped with the Civil Rights Act of 1965. But since then it seems defense of traditionally excluded minorities has fallen to the Democrats, right up until the recent battles over voting rights.
Would you say that there has been no progress? Or that there has been progress, but not owing to either party? Or that Democrats have actually helped these groups and do fight for their rights--just not with their bests interests in mind? You have expressed the same goals for the Democratic party that I have, but I guess I don't understand what, in your view, would count as having their interest in mind.
I would make the argument that the progress made is not due to any party. It is due to the societal changes that forced the hands of those in power. CRAs are tied to liberal ideologies because they represent change and they represent government efforts to increase equity among the citizenry, but apart from those moves where hands were forced there isn't a good effort by those in power. They use the issues of people of color, women, religious minorities, and the LGBT community to gain votes, but they don't follow through on anything. They ignore systemic problems that exist throughout our country that perpetuate the problems of inequity. I know I probably sound like a broken record, but it is because the idea of equity is damaged by the neo-liberal movement. As long as the Democratic party latches onto those ideals, they will continue to only pay lip service to these issues.
