Redlining

Dale Thorn dthorn at gte.net
Tue Dec 10 07:22:08 PST 1996


Huge Cajones Remailer wrote:
> I seem to have upset you, Matt Miszewski, and I am sorry for that.  It
> appears to me that the problem we have is that we have different ideas
> about what is right and different perceptions of the nature of the world.

[snip]

> I am assuming that you agree that somebody who has earned their money
> honestly should be able to lend it to whomever they please for
> whatever reason they like.  You call this private lending.  (Please
> correct me if I am wrong.)
> I believe that five friends should be able to get together, pool their
> resources, and lend their money to whomever they like.
> I believe that ten, or a hundred, or a thousand people should be able
> to pool their money and lend it to whomever they please for whatever
> reason they like.

The logical implication here is that a thousand people "getting together"
and doing something is no different in principle than one person doing
that something.  Not a valid implication, although the result is not
necessarily false on a per-case basis.

[snip]

> If I put up a sign in my store saying "Irish need not apply", then
> there is a case.  Usually, it is not so clear.
> It is difficult to prove discrimination because merit is so hard to
> determine.  Many factors go into a hiring decision.  In the end, it is
> usually made on the gut level.

Ironically, discrimination, prejudice, bigotry, hate, etc. are often
judged by the public on a "gut level" as well.  It's just a matter of
how to "educate" the public to see these things.

[snip remainder]







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