SYNOPSIS:

   Many proposed methods for correcting
the problems of racism and sexism in the American culture
depend on emphasizing racial or sexual identity and differences
and giving preference to people
solely on the basis of their race or sex.

    While such efforts promote laudable goals,
they sometimes tend to defeat the intended purpose.

    How might it be possible to promote
a non-racial and non-sexist society
without making people identify
with their own racial or sexual group
against other racial or sexual groups?

OUTLINE:

I.  AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Plan A. Special preferences and quotas based on group membership.
Plan B. Wise affirmation action
        —special help for the marginal 10%, regardless of race or sex.

II.  POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Plan A. Selecting officials on the basis of skin color or sex.
Plan B. Selecting officials who are non-racist and non-sexist.
        Some questions worth asking
        to determine whether a candidate is racist or sexist.

III.  EDUCATION OF CHILDREN
Plan A. Promoting racial or sexual pride by noting
        wonderful accomplishments
        by members of one's own race or sex.
Plan B. Promoting individual pride by focusing
        on one's own achievements.

IV.  ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Plan A. Reparations paid by members of one race or sex
        to another to compensate for past injustices
        committed by one race or sex against another.
Plan B. Income support to all members of society in need,
        regardless of race, sex, or injustice to ancestors.