Above is a clip of Tim Wise’s speech for affirmative action during an Intelligence Square debate about affirmative action. Although Wise’s compassion and enthusiasm towards equality is very evident in his body language and facial expressions, I think that one should observe through listening more so than looking while viewing the clip – the message is much more clear.



Listening to Wise’s arguments for affirmative action reminded me of the discussion of race and difference that the class has been engaging in this passed week. The way which Wise has laid out the various forms of “affirmative action” for non-minorities in our country’s past and present, compared to the “affirmative action” that were available to ethnic minorities in recent history and the different type of public support for them makes me think of how people responds to labels. Because what Wise calls “affirmative action for Whites” usually are not labeled “affirmative action” but rather comes in the forms of “Federal Housing Act” or “Homestead Acts” it is largely supported by the public and has little to no negative connotations. However, as Wise has argued, the privileges and perks of these acts are exclusive to only “Whites”, thus it is very much like an affirmative action for non-ethnic minorities. Yet, the mass public did not voice complaints of the inequality that are inherent in these particular acts. On the other hand, when the Affirmative Action Act was established in the 90s, providing perks that were available only to minorities, there was a great number of opposition from the non-minority population as well as some from the minority populations. Until today, many people are antagonistic towards the affirmative action for minorities. I wonder then, would the responses to the Federal Housing Act been different if it were titled “Affirmative Action for Whites: FHA”, even more so, I wonder if the general public would see “affirmative action” the same way. That is, would they see is as negative and unequal acts that are excluding privileges to one ethnic/racial group as they see affirmative action for minorities? Does label really make a difference in the way we see and judge things?