[Perndog]

Okay. First, race does not equal income level, and a discussion on racism does not need to include a discussion on poverty. (While we're at it, though, I'll cover both.) While it is true that there are concentrations of minorities with low incomes, being black or Mexican does not make one poor, nor vice versa. Minorities were second-class citizens fifty years ago and couldn't get out of the ghettos, but as far as race is concerned now, they only run into problems when they're confronted with racists in positions of power.

Ideally, you combat entranched racism in the workplace by rooting out the racist employers and shooting them or shipping them to a company where they are the hated minority.

Practically, I'm really not sure what can be done, which is why I'm not a politician or a social worker or anything like that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that real racism is steadily declining. If one employer discriminates based on race, there should be a dozen who don't. And if this isn't the case, I can only hope that people will grow up learning to be more tolerant than they are now. A lot changed in fifty years, and I would bet that fifty more years will see more improvement in this regard.

Now, as far as poverty goes, you're not going to like my opinion. But...

There have been plenty examples of people who have risen from inauspicious beginnings to succeed. If one dirty little Mexican boy from the barrio can get himself a good education and become a successful adult (and some have), that means the opportunity is there. Therefore, the ones with potential will make it out and the ordinary ones will stay poor and do their part to hold up the social pyramid.

I concede, yes, they should have *more* opportunities. How to give them those opportunities? The only real way out that I can see is massive public education reform. Either public schools need to get better in a hurry or private school vouchers need to be handed out much more liberally. Furthermore, poor parents need to take responsibility (give them whatever government incentive you want, I guess) - have fewer kids so they can spend more money and attention on each one. It's pretty obvious that there's not a lot of hope for the people who are already at dead ends, but they can do a lot for their children if they are taught or paid to be better parents.

So if the kids are raised better they will have more potential for success and they can increase the ranks of the people who manage to climb out of the ghetto. I really don't know what could be done to elevate the entire social class, but if the cream can float to the top I consider it a win.