Stigma
(Fred Speaking)

 
 
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I agree that the state has an obligation to treat each citizen with equal respect and to value his or her interests at the same level as those of others. At a minimum, this means that the state should not pay more respect to whites than to blacks. And it should not place a higher value on the interests of whites.

I am not at all clear that as individuals we have a moral obligation to give everyone equal respect or to place equal value on everyone's interests. Is it wrong for me to place greater value on the interests of my family? Is it wrong for a black businessman to be more concerned with the black neighborhood in which he does business? Is it wrong for him to hire black employees whenever possible?

If we tried to change everything in our culture that has a plausible connection with the construction of hierarchy and inferiority, the range of things that we would regulate is astounding. Some feminists believe that fashion magazines, advertisements for cosmetics, children's toys like Barbie, and clothing styles contribute to the inferiority of women. The way that millions of parents raise their children may contribute to their ideas about blacks. De facto segregation in housing and education may also contribute. If we are rigorous, we would begin to regulate these and a hundred more aspects of our lives. Can you really be advocating such a thing? The cure is worse than the disease.

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