My take on priorities (as individuals but in our national conversation, in casting vision for the next 50 years as leaders). This is broader than higher ed but foundational imo

1) Recognize what we have that is good. The US is a country of 50M first generation immigrants. More people come to the US from around the world than to the next top 4 countries combined. Juan Williams claimed America’s black middle class is now “the wealthiest, best-educated community of black people in the world.” The US dollar is the world reserve currency. 11 of the top 12 companies by market cap in the world are in the US. American universities are (still) the envy of the world. Starting companies in the US, access to capital, rule of law, is more attractive than in any other country in the world. All of this is NOT some guaranteed outcome, it is the product of the founding principles of our country

2) Establish the goals. Colorblind society, meritocracy, and opportunity to meaningfully improve my station in life. We have to emphasize that my reference for comparison should be my particular station in life, not someone else. If the US gives me the opportunity to meaningfully, through hard work, improve my conditions, become a home owner, set my children up to do more than I was able, that is a great life.

3) Focus resources on bridging opportunity gaps and creating a humane safety net. Socioeconomics, access to quality primary/secondary education, discrimination in hiring practices are all areas that deserve resources. Emphasize creating pathways (e.g. school vouchers) that give people with initiative the ability to more rapidly scale up their station in life from lower socioeconomic starting points. Equality will be a generational achievement, not one that will be achieved in months/years. Socioeconomic affirm action makes abundant sense.

Unless and until we return to this as the central ethos of our country we won’t get anywhere. Improve your own station in life and that of your children through education and hard work. That is tried and true path. Bad decisions (abandoning your family, no work ethic) are tried and true pathways to failure. Take a high view of all people to see clearly this truth and respond to it rather than succumbing to the victim narrative lie

[Post edited by SysHoo at 12/11/2023 11:34AM]