Kamala Harris and Affirmative Action, 5/10
Are we allowed to say what we believe?
A new policy at Saint Vincent College will require the college president’s approval before speakers can be invited to campus to ensure the programming aligns with the Catholic school's values. . .
The policy comes in the wake of a free speech controversy earlier this month when the College apologized for hosting a speaker that suggested Vice President Kamala Harris only filled the role because she is Black.
David Azerrad was the controversial speaker. He called Ms. Harris an affirmative-action Vice-President. What are the possible responses to that statement?
You believe that the statement is false. In fact, regardless of race, Ms. Harris was the most appropriate person to be chosen to run on the ticket with Mr. Biden.
You believe that the statement is true, but it was a good use of affirmative action. She was as well qualified as any other potential candidate.
You believe that the statement is true, but no one must ever say it.
I think that (1) has little chance of being correct. I also think it is unlikely that she was chosen because Mr. Biden needed a black running-mate in order to shore up his support with black voters.. Mr. Biden was in good shape with black voters, anyway, and she does not excite black voters.
I think that (2) is the honorable way to support affirmative action. Until recently, it was what affirmative action was supposed to be all about.
But it appears to me that the college-educated left has converged on (3). That is not a good equilibrium, or a stable one.
I'm surprised you haven't even mentioned #4: Harris rose to power (insofar as she has) by the same method as Cleopatra. Which has nothing to do with her color.
If you try to pass the Ideological Turing Test, rather obvious most people supporting Harris would say both #2 and #3. They believe she's as qualified as others, but talking about racial preferences hurts your tribe, so ostracize those who do. This is logically cohesive position, and if you ask Harris supporters I'm confident that's what most of them would tell you if they trusted you well enough to be direct.