Controversial topic (see links to articles at end)

[hhunterjr]

Here's the gist of my story:

My name is Harold Hunter Jr. and I am 33 year old African American patent attorney.

I'd like to find the person(s) who started the rumor about "It's Time to End Affirmative Action" and kick them in the rump!!!!

America has made progress in the last 40 years, but we still have a long way to go in race relations. It is definitely not time to end affirmative action in the Deep South (see links to articles from major news sources below)

Maybe these people in the majority who started that campaign honestly think that it's time to end affirmative action, but how would they really honestly know if they are not black and don't have the same life experiences?

My personal experience with modern race discrimination came when I attended a clinical graduate program in the Deep South in the Mid 1990's. The clinical graduate program was not in the field of law and I did not complete the program.

The honest and truthful reason that I did not complete the clinical program that I started in the Deep South is "race discrimination" in the clinical rotations and overall discriminatory treatment by a few individuals in the program.

I could prove that the grading in the clinicals was unfair, but I couldn't prove the causation or motive on the claims. (i.e. You can't sue someone for being unfair, you also have to prove the reason behind the unfairness. It's very hard to prove the motive or reason for someone's behavior because they have all of the evidence on that part).


Most of the instructors in the program were very nice, but there were a "few bad apples" and no one would stand up to them. It basically still goes on due the "silence of good people" who are not willing to risk losing their jobs to stand up for a person who is being discriminated against.

Because of this defeat in the deep south, I lost about 3.5 years of my life and had to start all over again in life with a $55,000 student loan debt. Now that's what I call "discrimination."

I was able to spin off and go to a very good law school. I didn't use that transcript from the school in the Deep South because everyone "wants to hear" that It's time to end Affirmative Action

If we (african americans) don't say "IT'S TIME", then many people in the majority race tend to get really angry.

I've already been before the board of law examiners in my state to testify about the events that happened in the clinical rotations of that program in the Deep South, the legal mechanism of modern race discrimination, and the reason why I didn't use that transcript.

I was able to show them the transcript and the grading reports - and give them a good understanding of what went on in those clinicals.

Most of my character recommendations came from instructors in that Deep South Program that I still have a good relationship with.

The board said that I should have explained the whole situation on my law school application and let the school decide whether to admit me based on all the information. The Board said to always tell the truth - even if other people think that you are radical and even if the truth is something that is very unpopular.

The Board wanted to make sure that I understood that that telling the truth is very important for an attorney - after all that's the whole point of making people go to court and testify on the witness stand.


I'm not out to publicize my story or seek fame.
In fact, it's a major stigma now for a black person to say that he or she has been a victim of race discrimination due to the massive political campaign out there about "It's Time to End Affirmative Action."

You can imagine that it's get tricky - honestly answering questions about that school on my resume and why I didn't graduate from there during job interviews.

I cannot lie about it, but on the other hand - many interviewers don't want to hear about discrimination. The only thing that I can do in many situations is be very vague.

I was able to find one law firm that hired me - even after I told them the actual truth. But that law firm had to lay me off due to the recession. So I'm currently looking for employment in the patent field.

Those are the reasons why I'd like to find the people who started this rumor about it's time to end Affirmative Action and kick them in the butt.

Employers and almost everyone out there - are demanding truth, honesty, and full disclosure from employees today. Because of that rumor out there about "It's Time", it makes it very tough to honestly answer questions about a situation that really did involve discrimination.

News Articles:

I think that I’ve said enough about my own experience in the Deep South in the mid 1990s. Now I’d like to let you see some articles from major news sources that discuss the current conditions in the South. These stories are from 2003 –so it’s very current material. (let me know if any of the links don't work and I'll send another link).


I hope that this provides you with a better understanding of what goes on out there in the real world 40 years post Civil Rights Movement.


Louisiana:

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/6505753.htm



http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wbur/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=529138

Florida:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/28/national/main565329.shtml

http://www.staugustine.com/stories/072903/sta_1699184.shtml





Mississippi

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/09/national/main562301.shtml

Georgia:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/South/10/16/georgia.race.ap/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/05/02/separate.proms.ap/index.html



Texas:

http://us.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/09/19/sambo.remark.ap/

http://www.s-t.com/daily/02-99/02-24-99/a01wn012.htm

http://www.s-t.com/daily/02-99/02-17-99/a06wn035.htm



http://www.wsws.org/articles/1999/feb1999/byrd-f18.shtml

http://www.courttv.com/archive/trials/brewer/091599_ctv.html



http://www.rickross.com/reference/supremacists/supremacists4.html

 

[Garry Anderson]

Harold - I believe the only "Affirmative Action" should be for good people to stand up to these racial bigots.

I am against ANY type of unfairness - that is why I do not like any discrimination - positive or negative.

All female or all black selection makes things unfair for males or whites going for job - promoting further hostility.

However, without bringing in serious penalties for those found guilty of discrimination - I cannot think of any other way to tackle the problem.

So - perhaps you are right.

Importantly, some way should be found for it be done fairly - or has it already?

That is to say, America cannot stop taking on white males until equal levels of employment are achieved.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

 

[mole]

Originally posted by Garry Anderson
Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

I believe that applies to domain extensions as well Best wishes in whatever you chose to do, Harold.

 

[Mr Webname]

Whilst totally sympathetic to the issues raised here and wishing you every success Harold, it is necessary to point out the following rule at DNForum:-

2. Discussion of politics, race, religion, and other sensitive and/or controversial material is against forum policy, and may be deleted at any time at the discression of the management.

To avoid the potential for controversy this thread is being closed and I hope that all will understand why.