重点摘要
1. 多样性掩盖了经济不平等
对多样性的承诺将反对歧视重新定义为欣赏(而不是消除)差异。
多样性分散了对不平等的注意力。 通过关注庆祝文化和种族差异,我们忽视了更紧迫的经济差距问题。这种关注的转移使社会在不解决财富分配基本问题的情况下感到进步。
新自由主义从多样性中受益。 对多样性的强调服务于新自由主义资本主义的利益,通过:
- 将注意力从阶级斗争转移到身份政治
- 使不平等看起来是公平的,只要它不是基于种族或性别
- 让公司在不改变其经济实践的情况下显得具有社会责任感
2. 种族是社会构建,而非生物现实
分子人类学家乔纳森·马克斯最近说,“种族”就像天使。许多人虔诚地相信它们。他们甚至可以告诉你它们有什么特性。但你越是试图仔细研究它们的真实本质,它们就越难以捉摸。
科学共识否定生物种族。 现代遗传学表明,种族群体内部的遗传变异比群体之间的变异更大。这削弱了独特生物种族的概念。
种族作为社会类别依然存在。 尽管缺乏科学依据,种族仍然影响社会经验和身份。这种持久性是由于:
- 种族主义和歧视的历史遗产
- 文化关联和刻板印象
- 按种族分类的制度实践
- 围绕种族类别形成的个人和群体身份
3. 反种族主义在美国政治中已成为保守力量
重新分配财富是一回事;确保上层阶级的女性与男性同样得到报酬是另一回事。
反种族主义关注代表性,而非再分配。 现代反种族主义通常强调:
- 多样化精英机构
- 促进少数族裔在高薪职业中的代表性
- 庆祝文化差异
经济不平等依然未得到解决。 这种方法保持了基本的经济结构不变:
- 富人和穷人之间的财富差距继续扩大
- 阶级流动性依然有限
- 无论种族,低薪工人都在艰难度日
4. 大学在倡导多样性的同时延续不平等
关键不是我们应该对无家可归者更友善;而是没有人应该无家可归。
大学作为不平等的缩影。 精英大学:
- 庆祝种族和文化多样性
- 忽视学生之间巨大的经济差距
- 作为未来经济成功的筛选机制
平权行动的局限性。 虽然旨在解决历史不公:
- 它主要惠及中上层阶级的少数族裔
- 对任何种族的贫困学生帮助不大
- 合法化了精英教育是通向成功的公平途径的观念
5. 文化身份和遗产的问题
我们喜欢多样性,喜欢诸如平权行动之类的项目,因为它们告诉我们种族主义是我们需要解决的问题,而解决它只需要我们放弃偏见。
文化身份作为分散注意力的因素。 强调文化身份:
- 将政治和经济问题转化为个人遗产问题
- 鼓励人们将自己视为历史不公的受害者,而不是当前经济体系的受害者
- 在忽视经济不平等的情况下,促进文化之间的虚假平等感
文化保护的局限性。 保护文化实践的努力往往:
- 忽视文化的演变性质
- 浪漫化过去的传统,其中一些可能是压迫性的
- 转移对更紧迫的经济和社会问题的注意力
6. 赔偿和解决历史不公的局限性
如果你支持不仅向纳粹受害者而且向他们的继承人提供赔偿,那么就没有合理的理由反对向奴隶制受害者的继承人提供赔偿。
赔偿的复杂性。 在解决历史不公时:
- 赔偿难以定义谁应得补偿以及补偿多少
- 它们有可能延续它们试图克服的种族类别
- 它们可能无法解决持续的系统性不平等
补偿性正义的局限性。 关注过去的不公可以:
- 忽视与历史不公无直接联系的当前经济差距
- 未能解决持续不平等的根本原因
- 基于谁被认为有资格获得补偿而创造新的分歧
7. 政治中的宗教:信仰比身份更重要
偏见涉及对你的身份比别人的身份更好的不合理假设;分歧涉及对你的信仰比别人的信仰更好的绝对合理——甚至不可避免——的假设。
政治话语中的信仰与身份。 宗教信仰:
- 本质上是关于真理主张,而不是个人身份
- 不能像文化身份那样被视为同等有效
- 对公共政策和社会规范有实际影响
宗教辩论的重要性。 将宗教视为身份问题:
- 扼杀必要的政治和伦理辩论
- 忽视宗教信仰的现实影响
- 误解宗教信仰的本质
8. 教育和多样性未能解决系统性不平等
实现机会平等将使老板和工人都多样化,但不会减少他们之间的差距。
机会平等的局限性。 即使机会平等完美实现:
- 仍然只有少数人能获得好工作
- 大多数人仍然处于低薪职位
- 整体经济结构将保持不变
教育作为筛选机制。 高等教育通常:
- 再生产现有的阶级结构
- 为不平等的系统提供一种功绩主义的外衣
- 未能为大多数学生创造显著的经济流动性
9. 工会衰退与收入不平等上升相关
该节目展示了一个世界观,即真正有才华的人会成功(美国梦!)以及在那个世界中幸福生活所需的高度自我欺骗——我有才华!我会成功!(美国幻觉)。
工会衰退与不平等。 随着工会会员人数的减少:
- 收入不平等急剧上升
- 工人保护减弱
- 劳动收入在国民收入中的份额减少
集体谈判的重要性。 强大的工会历史上:
- 协商更好的工资和工作条件
- 为企业权力提供制衡
- 帮助维持强大的中产阶级
10. 资本主义,而非歧视,是经济差距的根本原因
多样性*大的问题在于它让我们无法讨论资本主义的问题。
资本主义在不平等中的作用。 资本主义系统:
- 本质上创造赢家和输家
- 将财富集中在少数人手中
- 不论工人的种族或性别,剥削劳动以获取利润
反歧视的局限性。 虽然重要,但反对歧视:
- 无法解决造成贫困的基本经济结构
- 可能被公司利用以显得进步,同时保持剥削性实践
- 转移对资本主义阶级批判的注意力
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FAQ
What's The Trouble with Diversity about?
- Critique of Diversity Focus: Walter Benn Michaels argues that the American focus on diversity overshadows the more pressing issue of economic inequality. He suggests that society prefers celebrating cultural differences over confronting class disparities.
- Race vs. Class: The book emphasizes that discussions about race and identity distract from the real problem of economic inequality. Michaels posits that focusing on racial identity allows people to ignore the growing wealth gap.
- Historical Context: Michaels traces the evolution of diversity, linking it to the struggle against racism, and argues that it has become a way to avoid addressing class issues. The Supreme Court's ruling in Bakke v. Board of Regents is highlighted as pivotal in this shift.
Why should I read The Trouble with Diversity?
- Challenging Conventional Wisdom: The book challenges widely accepted beliefs about race and diversity, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in social justice. It encourages readers to rethink their understanding of identity politics.
- Insightful Analysis: Michaels provides a critical analysis of how the focus on diversity has become a substitute for addressing economic inequality. His arguments are supported by historical examples and current events.
- Relevance to Current Issues: The themes are highly relevant today, as discussions about race, identity, and economic disparity continue to dominate public discourse. The book offers a deeper understanding of these complex issues.
What are the key takeaways of The Trouble with Diversity?
- Diversity as Distraction: The book argues that celebrating diversity often distracts from the more significant issue of economic inequality. Michaels asserts that focusing on identity politics allows society to ignore the growing wealth gap.
- Racial Identity vs. Economic Reality: Michaels emphasizes that racial identity is often treated as more significant than economic status, leading to a misunderstanding of social dynamics. He suggests that real societal divisions are economic rather than racial.
- Call for Economic Equality: The author advocates for shifting focus from cultural diversity to economic equality, arguing that true social justice requires addressing wealth disparities.
What are the best quotes from The Trouble with Diversity and what do they mean?
- “We love race, and we love the identities to which it has given birth.”: This quote highlights the paradox of American society's fascination with racial identity while ignoring underlying economic issues. It suggests that celebrating diversity can be superficial.
- “Celebrating the diversity of American life has become the American left’s way of accepting their poverty.”: Michaels critiques the left's focus on identity politics as a way to sidestep economic inequality. This underscores the idea that acknowledging cultural differences does not address poverty's root causes.
- “The commitment to diversity has redefined the opposition to discrimination as the appreciation of difference.”: This reflects Michaels' argument that the focus on diversity has shifted the conversation from addressing inequality to merely celebrating differences.
How does The Trouble with Diversity address the concept of race?
- Race as a Social Construct: Michaels argues that race is not a biological fact but a social construct used to categorize people. He emphasizes that the scientific basis for racial categories has been discredited.
- One-Drop Rule: The book discusses the historical context of the one-drop rule, illustrating how arbitrary and socially constructed racial categories can be.
- Racial Identity vs. Economic Class: Michaels posits that discussions about race often overshadow the more critical issue of economic class, allowing society to ignore economic inequality realities.
What is Walter Benn Michaels' stance on affirmative action in The Trouble with Diversity?
- Affirmative Action Critique: Michaels critiques affirmative action as prioritizing racial diversity over addressing economic inequality. He argues it often benefits those already privileged rather than the truly disadvantaged.
- Diversity vs. Equality: The author suggests that affirmative action reinforces the idea that racial identity is more important than economic status, potentially perpetuating inequality.
- Cultural Capital: Michaels discusses how affirmative action can lead to a superficial understanding of diversity, where institutions celebrate cultural differences without addressing underlying economic disparities.
How does The Trouble with Diversity relate to contemporary social issues?
- Relevance to Current Discourse: The book's themes are highly relevant to ongoing discussions about race, identity, and economic inequality in America. Michaels' critique of diversity resonates with current debates about social justice.
- Economic Inequality: As the wealth gap continues to widen, Michaels' arguments about the need to address economic disparities become increasingly important.
- Identity Politics: The rise of identity politics makes Michaels' critique of the focus on diversity particularly timely. His call for a return to discussions about class and economic equality challenges readers to rethink their perspectives.
What are the implications of The Trouble with Diversity for social justice movements?
- Shift in Focus: Michaels argues that social justice movements should prioritize economic equality over cultural diversity. This shift could lead to more effective strategies for addressing poverty and inequality.
- Unity Among Classes: By emphasizing class over race, the book suggests that social movements could unite people across different backgrounds in the fight against economic injustice.
- Critique of Liberalism: The book critiques contemporary liberalism for its focus on identity politics, suggesting it has become a way to avoid addressing deeper economic issues.
How does The Trouble with Diversity redefine the conversation around identity?
- Identity as a Distraction: Michaels argues that the focus on identity often distracts from the more significant issue of economic inequality. Discussions about identity should not overshadow the need for economic justice.
- Cultural vs. Economic Identity: The book emphasizes that cultural identity is often celebrated while economic identity is ignored, highlighting the need to address economic disparities in identity discussions.
- Rethinking Identity Politics: Michaels calls for a rethinking of identity politics, advocating for a focus on class and economic equality instead.
What solutions does The Trouble with Diversity propose for addressing inequality?
- Focus on Economic Equality: Michaels advocates for shifting focus from cultural diversity to economic equality as the primary goal of social justice movements.
- Policy Changes: The book suggests policies should prioritize economic equality, such as equitable funding for education and healthcare.
- Collective Action: Michaels emphasizes the importance of collective action in addressing economic inequality, uniting across racial and cultural lines.
How does The Trouble with Diversity address the concept of economic inequality?
- Focus on Class Disparities: Michaels emphasizes that economic inequality is a more pressing issue than identity politics, often overshadowed by discussions about race and gender.
- Critique of Meritocracy: The book challenges the notion of meritocracy, suggesting it often ignores systemic barriers faced by the poor.
- Call for Structural Change: Michaels advocates for structural changes in society to address economic inequality, such as equitable education funding and wealth redistribution.
How does The Trouble with Diversity challenge the idea of multiculturalism?
- Multiculturalism as a Distraction: Michaels argues that multiculturalism can distract from addressing economic inequality, suggesting that celebrating cultural diversity does not necessarily lead to social justice.
- Critique of Cultural Identity: The book challenges the notion that cultural identity should be prioritized over economic issues, suggesting that focusing on cultural differences can obscure class disparity.
- Call for Economic Justice: Michaels advocates for shifting focus from multiculturalism to economic justice, believing that addressing economic inequality is essential for achieving true social equity.
评论
《多样性的困境》获得了褒贬不一的评价,评分从1星到5星不等。许多读者赞赏迈克尔斯对多样性倡议的批判以及他对经济不平等作为社会不公根源的关注。一些人称赞他的写作风格和发人深省的论点。然而,批评者认为他过于简化复杂问题,忽视了种族歧视的重要性,且分析缺乏深度。一些评论者指出,尽管他们同意迈克尔斯的一些观点,但他们认为他的方式有问题或他的解决方案不切实际。