re: #576 keloyd

I do believe there are loaded words, when used in certain contexts, sure. However, just because ‘states rights’ is a code word for oppression of blacks does not mean the concept of states rights doesn’t exist.

There are very good reasons to advocate for diversity and local control. To give an example from California:

The Hmong community in California, in various places, is quite large. For those who don’t know who the Hmong are, they were our allies in Laos. en.wikipedia.org Anyway, they have a highly traditional culture, they don’t tend to really assimilate, and they have incredibly tenacious and resistant attitudes towards authority, as do most ethnic groups that have been perennially fucked over and lied to. There is an excellent book, The Spirit Catches Me and You Fall Down, about the difficulties that well-meaning medical personell had in treating a Hmong child due to the cultural differences and language barrier.

A friend of mine has been working with the FCC and radio stations to attempt to get a half-hour Hmong-language slot so that a respected member of the Hmong community can deliver vital, trusted information— like yes, do fill out the census, like yes, do talk to the cops when they ask about this crime, etc. The arguments he’s making include the words ‘diversity’ and ‘local control’ but they are excellent arguments, and not actually code words.

The program would save the city money, help deliver services to the Hmong better, etc. etc. Should the Hmong just assimilate? Sure. But since that’s not going to happen, we can actually help their assimilation by increasing this kind of communication.