
When Affirmative Action Was White
by Ira Katznelson · first published 2005
3mentions
2recommended by
3HN commenters
2016–2025first – last mentioned
67% recommend33% neutral
Many mid 20th century American government programs created to help citizens survive and improve ended up being heavily biased against African-Americans. Katznelson documents this white affirmative action, and argues that its existence should be an important part of the argument in support of late 20th century affirmative action programs.
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
…purchasing power afforded to them by these programs to buy homes in the emerging suburbs (essentially following the incentive). Ira Katznelson of Columbia University wrote a good history of this in his book,"When Affirmative Action was White"
on “The Blue State Model: How the Democrats Created a "Liberalism of the Rich"” ↗…the overall economy, and that it is emotional "I don't want to help them with my taxes" nonsense that leads people to oppose it. As an example, look at all of the hard work, documented by Katznelson in _When Affirmative Action Was White_ and _Fear Itself_, by lots of racists to keep African-Americans from benefiting from Social Security when that program was created.
on “For Many of America's Aging Workers, 'Retirement Is a Distant Dream'” ↗It is reminiscent of the WPA of the New Deal. In the U.S. these efforts have historically been undermined by racism. “When Affirmative Action was White” (https://www.amazon.com/When-Affirmative-Action-White-Twentie...) makes a case for the G.I. Bill, New Deal and other efforts being compromised by segregationist policies. The current U.S. president’s…
on “Thought Experiment – Summer Camp for All Rather Than Universal Basic Income” ↗