The Wall Street Journal published an article describing the influx of South Asian-Americans into the arena of spelling bees. According to the article, this has resulted in the domination of Indian-Americans in the Scripps National Spelling Bee by producing eight of its last twelve champions. This is surprising since also according to the article, “in 1989…, in standardized tests Indian-Americans were consistently performing above average in every subject but English.” This being the case, how did they manage to rise to preeminence in this event in less than 20 years? Did they participate in government programs intent on leveling the academic playing field and diminishing performance gaps?-NO!
The answer to the question, even if we are not willing to accept it, is CAPITALISM! Yes, that’s right! CAPITALISM! To wit, a need was identified and a solution was proposed through a capitalistic appeal to their culture. Since they were already acculturated toward academic achievement, it became a matter of presenting a viable and acceptable solution to their specific academic shortcoming. The solution focuses on creating a culture of individual achievement through competition. More specifically, that competition takes the form of spelling bees targeting Indian-Americans only. Yes, that’s right! Indian-Americans only! Is this discriminatory? Yes, but in a good way since it does not conjure any claims of innate ethnic intellectual superiority. Rather it is a focused effort to remedy a specific gap in achievement. And although no evidence was presented that an overall increase was achieved in Indian-American standardized test scores in English, the results in the bees are nonetheless notable. Just as notable, is the fact that this was an effort of private enterprise, not government policies or programs.
And let’s not deceive ourselves by denying that the monetary rewards are a part of the draw. In this case it is a way to fund their college educations. This is fitting since financial gain is the way in which capitalism encourages effort and rewards achievement. Moreover, Indian businessmen combined this appeal with a narrow ethnic criterion to establish several contests including the South Asian Spelling Bee.
Spelling bees are specialized academic endeavors which require large investments of time and effort, yet there still remains the issue of the individual’s level of interest and potential. None of these can be diminished by poverty or aided by wealth.Thus they remain more important than economics. This is similar to the achievement of other minorities in sports and other endeavors where there is concerted effort based on cultural appeal, interest, participation, and effort. Still, it is the competition and the promise of reward based upon success that draws those who put forth the greatest effort, demonstrate the greatest interest and possess the greatest potential.
Yet and still, this could not work so well unless it was compatible with human nature, since the results are dependent on the aspect of human nature by which we give preference to future financial reward over our present financial state. Thus, both poor and wealthy seeking a similar financial reward, are motivated to excellence by the spirit of competition. This formula has served Indian-Americans well in this endeavor and demonstrates the effectiveness of Capitalism and its compatibility with human nature.
Humbly Submitted
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Illegitimacy and Imago Dei Part 2
This is part two in a series. The previous post addressed how illegitimacy pays homage to the image of God in human beings. This series is not a diatribe intended to assign blame, but rather it attempts to link our distinct human nature to a distinctly human condition.
Illegitimacy is a paradoxical state, in that while it does not devalue a person essentially, it does diminish a person existentially. In this case 'existential' denotes the consequences which are caused by a particular condition without affecting one’s innate human worth. Two obvious consequences are the internal shame and the external stigmas. Additional consequences are circumstantial, yet tend to be heavily concentrated among the illegitimate as a subset of racial and socioeconomic groups. Although the Hoover Institution article focuses on the link to criminality, the original Heritage Foundation article addresses a broader range of issues. Further treatment is conducted in other articles concerning illegitimacy and its relationship to welfare, family structure, and public policy. The research and commentary on these subjects is extensive. Interestingly however, I found nothing on this topic on the NARAL or Planned Parenthood websites, and only articles connecting illegitimacy to legislation on the NOW site. I expected more attention on this subject from organizations which claim concern for women’s welfare, empowerment, and reproductive rights.
That notwithstanding, the consequential diminishment of individuals subsists in their illegitimacy to the degree that certain conditions are more likely to occur to their detriment. As written in the prior post, those conditions include poverty, poor health, poor educational achievement, high crime rates, and substance abuse. This does not absolutely preclude a favorable familial experience or upbringing, but such a beneficial scenario is much more difficult to establish or maintain within the context of illegitimacy. The point is that the effect on illegitimate individuals accumulates within the neighborhoods, societies, and nations in which they are citizens. This is especially true when the rates of illegitimacy rise as they have in the U.S. Hence, the detriments of illegitimacy have a cumulative effect by exacerbating social problems. Accordingly, the entire society has a natural interest in addressing illegitimacy as a causal link to certain depredations of life.
But what of those who have directly caused this condition? I speak namely of the fathers and mothers of these children. Are they not to be held to account for the deprived familial condition which they have created? After all, the government did not dispatch agents to impregnate anyone. Nor has it given orders for any man to do so. That notwithstanding, government has subsidized certain conditions and behaviors which lead to illegitimacy and can be held to account for its egregious enabling. Still, as stated at the outset, this is not a blame game. In fact, the purpose of this series is to demonstrate that the truth of Imago Dei is indispensable for understanding human nature and ameliorating the human condition.
Although easily identified, apart from the Imago Dei, these cause/effect relationships are purely materialistic in their distinction. Ultimately, the immaterial soul bears the brunt of the effect. The resulting distress is no less real and lingers for a lifetime. The illegitimate who come face to face with the reality of their state in comparison to those who are legitimate, realize at some point that they possess less in regard to beneficial behavioral knowledge, because they are less by way a lack of the rudimentary knowledge of normative familial experiences. Those experiences are necessary for the formation of natural bonds and normal identity which acculturate us within family and society. Therefore, being illegitimate, they both exist and operate outside of the established norm. Despite varying degrees of tolerance for illegitimacy over time and across cultures, that norm is not arbitrary but firmly established throughout nearly six thousand years of recorded history.
Unsurprisingly, illegitimacy creates widows and orphans by default because it consists of women without husbands and children without fathers. Of course I understand that a widow was once wed, but upon the death of her husband, except for the lack of shame, she effectively becomes much like the unwed mother. Moreover, the shame of unwed motherhood is natural regardless of cultural acceptance. Despite all manner of religious orthodoxies or secular persuasions, it is ultimately the Imago Dei which creates shame in such a situation. Humanity is distinctly favored with the moral acumen necessary for the manifestation of shame and the accompanying expectation of judgment. Still, there is another element which is necessary to incite shame and judgment. That element is the Law of God. More to come…
Humbly Submitted
Illegitimacy is a paradoxical state, in that while it does not devalue a person essentially, it does diminish a person existentially. In this case 'existential' denotes the consequences which are caused by a particular condition without affecting one’s innate human worth. Two obvious consequences are the internal shame and the external stigmas. Additional consequences are circumstantial, yet tend to be heavily concentrated among the illegitimate as a subset of racial and socioeconomic groups. Although the Hoover Institution article focuses on the link to criminality, the original Heritage Foundation article addresses a broader range of issues. Further treatment is conducted in other articles concerning illegitimacy and its relationship to welfare, family structure, and public policy. The research and commentary on these subjects is extensive. Interestingly however, I found nothing on this topic on the NARAL or Planned Parenthood websites, and only articles connecting illegitimacy to legislation on the NOW site. I expected more attention on this subject from organizations which claim concern for women’s welfare, empowerment, and reproductive rights.
That notwithstanding, the consequential diminishment of individuals subsists in their illegitimacy to the degree that certain conditions are more likely to occur to their detriment. As written in the prior post, those conditions include poverty, poor health, poor educational achievement, high crime rates, and substance abuse. This does not absolutely preclude a favorable familial experience or upbringing, but such a beneficial scenario is much more difficult to establish or maintain within the context of illegitimacy. The point is that the effect on illegitimate individuals accumulates within the neighborhoods, societies, and nations in which they are citizens. This is especially true when the rates of illegitimacy rise as they have in the U.S. Hence, the detriments of illegitimacy have a cumulative effect by exacerbating social problems. Accordingly, the entire society has a natural interest in addressing illegitimacy as a causal link to certain depredations of life.
But what of those who have directly caused this condition? I speak namely of the fathers and mothers of these children. Are they not to be held to account for the deprived familial condition which they have created? After all, the government did not dispatch agents to impregnate anyone. Nor has it given orders for any man to do so. That notwithstanding, government has subsidized certain conditions and behaviors which lead to illegitimacy and can be held to account for its egregious enabling. Still, as stated at the outset, this is not a blame game. In fact, the purpose of this series is to demonstrate that the truth of Imago Dei is indispensable for understanding human nature and ameliorating the human condition.
Although easily identified, apart from the Imago Dei, these cause/effect relationships are purely materialistic in their distinction. Ultimately, the immaterial soul bears the brunt of the effect. The resulting distress is no less real and lingers for a lifetime. The illegitimate who come face to face with the reality of their state in comparison to those who are legitimate, realize at some point that they possess less in regard to beneficial behavioral knowledge, because they are less by way a lack of the rudimentary knowledge of normative familial experiences. Those experiences are necessary for the formation of natural bonds and normal identity which acculturate us within family and society. Therefore, being illegitimate, they both exist and operate outside of the established norm. Despite varying degrees of tolerance for illegitimacy over time and across cultures, that norm is not arbitrary but firmly established throughout nearly six thousand years of recorded history.
Unsurprisingly, illegitimacy creates widows and orphans by default because it consists of women without husbands and children without fathers. Of course I understand that a widow was once wed, but upon the death of her husband, except for the lack of shame, she effectively becomes much like the unwed mother. Moreover, the shame of unwed motherhood is natural regardless of cultural acceptance. Despite all manner of religious orthodoxies or secular persuasions, it is ultimately the Imago Dei which creates shame in such a situation. Humanity is distinctly favored with the moral acumen necessary for the manifestation of shame and the accompanying expectation of judgment. Still, there is another element which is necessary to incite shame and judgment. That element is the Law of God. More to come…
Humbly Submitted
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
My Prediction for Response to Arizona's Immigration Law
On April 23rd Governor Jan Brewer signed into law a bill which takes extensive measures against illegal immigration in the state of Arizona. Unsurprisingly, certain groups are up in arms over this legislation. Al Sharpton (sans reverential title) founder of the National Action Network has stated his unequivocal opposition. According to USA Today, others including Janet Murguia head of the National Council of La Raza, and Rep. Raul Grijalva, are calling for economic sanctions including boycotts of Arizona businesses and tourism. Still others have taken to protestation which at times has become violent. Furthermore, Attorney General Eric Holder and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano have stated their concerns and suggested that the law may be challenged by the Justice Department.
All this notwithstanding, the legal ramifications may yet be overshadowed by the ideological implications. Even if upheld by the courts, this law will become another line of demarcation between the political left and right. Each side has become entrenched while preparing to battle for the moral high ground. The fight may be fraught with desperate attempts to force the other side to withdraw from the field. With this in mind, I predict that the left will probably make such an attempt in the near future. I believe there will be an effort to contrive circumstances (complete with videotape- à la James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles) which will be used to conjure up a charge of racial profiling. This claim will in turn be thoroughly investigated by the Justice Department.
Admittedly this is speculation on my part, but I think it is well within the realm of plausibility.
Humbly submitted.
All this notwithstanding, the legal ramifications may yet be overshadowed by the ideological implications. Even if upheld by the courts, this law will become another line of demarcation between the political left and right. Each side has become entrenched while preparing to battle for the moral high ground. The fight may be fraught with desperate attempts to force the other side to withdraw from the field. With this in mind, I predict that the left will probably make such an attempt in the near future. I believe there will be an effort to contrive circumstances (complete with videotape- à la James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles) which will be used to conjure up a charge of racial profiling. This claim will in turn be thoroughly investigated by the Justice Department.
Admittedly this is speculation on my part, but I think it is well within the realm of plausibility.
Humbly submitted.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Illegitimacy and the Imago Dei
This post is a response to an article on the Heritage Foundation website. The article should be read first for the purpose of critiquing my response. I also posted it as a response on the article page itself.
The claims within this article include:
1. Illegitimacy is on the rise
2. Mainstream media ignores the detrimental impact of illegitimacy
3. Liberals need illegitimacy in order to further their anti-marriage agenda
4. Illegitimate children and their mothers suffer greater social deprivations such as poverty, poor health, poor educational achievement, high crime rates, substance abuse, etc.
Ultimately, there need not be a conspiracy per se in order to achieve these kinds of egregious results. Despite its disparate occurrence among Blacks in the U. S., illegitimacy has no intrinsic racial cause. Moreover, it has always been a part of every culture among both rich and poor. Whereas it is seemingly accepted as an inevitability among the poor, its Hollywood style practice has given it an almost exotic appeal among the more well to do. Additionally, statistics reveal its entrenchment in the society as a whole.
All this notwithstanding, both rich and poor, educated and uneducated, black and white possess an irrevocable commonality in our human nature. Despite those things correctly identified in this article, this aspect was not considered; perhaps due to the article’s limited scope. Or perhaps its assumption precludes its exposition. Nevertheless, it has great ability to explain why this phenomenon is occurring so regularly even in a nation which describes itself as Judeo Christian.
Familial disintegration is self-perpetuating among human beings. Why? Because our nature is such, that our children learn parenting skills largely by being parented. Unlike less sentient beings, our basic instincts only provide us with nominal survival skills. Humans have souls, and parenting requires the care of the soul, not just the feeding of the body. To whatever degree the concept of the Imago Dei (Image of God) in man is omitted from our education, knowledge and wisdom are depleted accordingly. To whatever degree the practice of its reality is removed from our relationships, children suffer from the lack thereof. A void is created in which children's beliefs and affections are directed toward the imago publica (image of the state); a state which portends to meet their needs in the absence of paternal provision.
With due respect to Mr. Roy Eappen of Montreal, I wholeheartedly disagree with his assessment that “children are never illegitimate”. ‘Illegitimacy’ bears witness to the fact that there is a higher purpose to child bearing and rearing than the mere continuation of the species. It is more than a legal designation or cultural faux pas. It is an unwitting yet unavoidable homage to divine purpose and intent in regard to our children. Children are illegitimate when born outside of a very specific familial context, aka marriage; marriage being the intentional and direct homage to the Imago Dei. The Imago Dei is the ultimate reason why we can conceptualize illegitimacy. Outside of this framework we have no logical or moral reason to discern that illegitimacy is undesirable by any measure. Without such a framework, we may only consider it to be slightly disadvantageous to the degree that it is outside the social norm. Yet this causes one to speculate what would be the consequences if illegitimacy itself become the norm. Perhaps we can extrapolate from already observable effects. Such results are documented in another article from the Hoover Institution. I will let it speak for itself.
Humbly submitted
The claims within this article include:
1. Illegitimacy is on the rise
2. Mainstream media ignores the detrimental impact of illegitimacy
3. Liberals need illegitimacy in order to further their anti-marriage agenda
4. Illegitimate children and their mothers suffer greater social deprivations such as poverty, poor health, poor educational achievement, high crime rates, substance abuse, etc.
Ultimately, there need not be a conspiracy per se in order to achieve these kinds of egregious results. Despite its disparate occurrence among Blacks in the U. S., illegitimacy has no intrinsic racial cause. Moreover, it has always been a part of every culture among both rich and poor. Whereas it is seemingly accepted as an inevitability among the poor, its Hollywood style practice has given it an almost exotic appeal among the more well to do. Additionally, statistics reveal its entrenchment in the society as a whole.
All this notwithstanding, both rich and poor, educated and uneducated, black and white possess an irrevocable commonality in our human nature. Despite those things correctly identified in this article, this aspect was not considered; perhaps due to the article’s limited scope. Or perhaps its assumption precludes its exposition. Nevertheless, it has great ability to explain why this phenomenon is occurring so regularly even in a nation which describes itself as Judeo Christian.
Familial disintegration is self-perpetuating among human beings. Why? Because our nature is such, that our children learn parenting skills largely by being parented. Unlike less sentient beings, our basic instincts only provide us with nominal survival skills. Humans have souls, and parenting requires the care of the soul, not just the feeding of the body. To whatever degree the concept of the Imago Dei (Image of God) in man is omitted from our education, knowledge and wisdom are depleted accordingly. To whatever degree the practice of its reality is removed from our relationships, children suffer from the lack thereof. A void is created in which children's beliefs and affections are directed toward the imago publica (image of the state); a state which portends to meet their needs in the absence of paternal provision.
With due respect to Mr. Roy Eappen of Montreal, I wholeheartedly disagree with his assessment that “children are never illegitimate”. ‘Illegitimacy’ bears witness to the fact that there is a higher purpose to child bearing and rearing than the mere continuation of the species. It is more than a legal designation or cultural faux pas. It is an unwitting yet unavoidable homage to divine purpose and intent in regard to our children. Children are illegitimate when born outside of a very specific familial context, aka marriage; marriage being the intentional and direct homage to the Imago Dei. The Imago Dei is the ultimate reason why we can conceptualize illegitimacy. Outside of this framework we have no logical or moral reason to discern that illegitimacy is undesirable by any measure. Without such a framework, we may only consider it to be slightly disadvantageous to the degree that it is outside the social norm. Yet this causes one to speculate what would be the consequences if illegitimacy itself become the norm. Perhaps we can extrapolate from already observable effects. Such results are documented in another article from the Hoover Institution. I will let it speak for itself.
Humbly submitted
Friday, January 01, 2010
Flight 253 and Other Debacles: A Reasonable Christian Response
What should be the Christian citizens response to the events involving the unsuccessful Christmas Day terrorist attack on Northwest Airlines flight 253? Many questions have been asked about the lack of action by intelligence and security agencies who had information regarding Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian born terrorist. Oops, I mean alleged terrorist (lest I be subjected to a defamation suit by Abdulmutallab's lawyers).
Still, with all signs pointing to an egregious and nearly catastrophic failure, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said "the system worked". She subsequently revised her statement when stating on ABC's Good Morning America, "Clearly, there's some work that needs to be done". With so much pressure on the Secretary for an explanation, and with so much scrutiny on the situation, this misstatement and revision May be allowable (barely).
Yet there are some, who sensing more ominous implications, would ask other questions. I mean the kind of people who are inclined to see conspiracies at every turn. These include the 911 Truthers who boast such notable supporters as former 'green czar' Van Jones and former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. Many of these 'truthers' were prone to ask the oft repeated question, "What did George Bush know and when did he know it?".
Considering the nature of the latest security debacle, will they now focus their inquisitorial ridicule upon our current POTUS? Will they ask, "What did Barack Obama know and when did he know it?". Not only is this very doubtful based on their political proclivity, but just as in the case of 911, it is also unwarranted based on the facts as we know them. Their is nothing to suggest a conspiritorial disregard for established security procedures in order to give the administration an reason for implementing more invasive measures guaranteed to intrude further upon our civil liberties. This is not likely to be the case, because since its inception, this administration has been rather presumptuous in imposing its unsubtly Marxist agenda with only passing regard to the Constitution or the will of the majority (of citizens, not congress).
Therefore, as indicated by the implementation of their agenda to date, we can reasonably predict that clandestine intent involving Abdulmutallab does not fit their modus operandi. Furthermore, questions like those put forth by the 'truthers' should not be utilized by Christians who value reason and propriety. Still, there are at least two things that we must do.
First, we must investigate and understand the ideologies of this administration and radical Islamism, both of which are waging their own distinctly strategic war against the West. This knowledge helps us develop an apologetic for addressing these specific issues of our times. Secondly, and more importantly, we must investigate and understand what God is doing in the world. This knowledge is a Mosaic which gives us an overview of our place in the history of the world. By this, we can understand how we should pray and act as we witness the Lord's plan unfolding before us.
Finally, it is precisely because we trust ourselves to God's sovereignty that we do not put stock in conspiracy theories. Neither do we fret over the egregious or evil deeds of men, even when we must oppose them as a matter of conscience. Rather, we believe that nothing may come to pass outside of God's sovereignty, and nothing may pass away until God has declared that its purpose has been fulfilled. This is not to be lightly considered. Moreover, it not easily understood or readily accepted by most Christians. That notwithstanding, this truth must be stated unequivocally, and it gives us confidence as we begin the new year.
Still, with all signs pointing to an egregious and nearly catastrophic failure, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said "the system worked". She subsequently revised her statement when stating on ABC's Good Morning America, "Clearly, there's some work that needs to be done". With so much pressure on the Secretary for an explanation, and with so much scrutiny on the situation, this misstatement and revision May be allowable (barely).
Yet there are some, who sensing more ominous implications, would ask other questions. I mean the kind of people who are inclined to see conspiracies at every turn. These include the 911 Truthers who boast such notable supporters as former 'green czar' Van Jones and former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. Many of these 'truthers' were prone to ask the oft repeated question, "What did George Bush know and when did he know it?".
Considering the nature of the latest security debacle, will they now focus their inquisitorial ridicule upon our current POTUS? Will they ask, "What did Barack Obama know and when did he know it?". Not only is this very doubtful based on their political proclivity, but just as in the case of 911, it is also unwarranted based on the facts as we know them. Their is nothing to suggest a conspiritorial disregard for established security procedures in order to give the administration an reason for implementing more invasive measures guaranteed to intrude further upon our civil liberties. This is not likely to be the case, because since its inception, this administration has been rather presumptuous in imposing its unsubtly Marxist agenda with only passing regard to the Constitution or the will of the majority (of citizens, not congress).
Therefore, as indicated by the implementation of their agenda to date, we can reasonably predict that clandestine intent involving Abdulmutallab does not fit their modus operandi. Furthermore, questions like those put forth by the 'truthers' should not be utilized by Christians who value reason and propriety. Still, there are at least two things that we must do.
First, we must investigate and understand the ideologies of this administration and radical Islamism, both of which are waging their own distinctly strategic war against the West. This knowledge helps us develop an apologetic for addressing these specific issues of our times. Secondly, and more importantly, we must investigate and understand what God is doing in the world. This knowledge is a Mosaic which gives us an overview of our place in the history of the world. By this, we can understand how we should pray and act as we witness the Lord's plan unfolding before us.
Finally, it is precisely because we trust ourselves to God's sovereignty that we do not put stock in conspiracy theories. Neither do we fret over the egregious or evil deeds of men, even when we must oppose them as a matter of conscience. Rather, we believe that nothing may come to pass outside of God's sovereignty, and nothing may pass away until God has declared that its purpose has been fulfilled. This is not to be lightly considered. Moreover, it not easily understood or readily accepted by most Christians. That notwithstanding, this truth must be stated unequivocally, and it gives us confidence as we begin the new year.
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