how jews became white

Conventional wisdom has it that the United States has always been an affluent land of opportunity. But the truth is that affluence has been the exception and that real upward mobility has required massive affirmative action programs (50). Karen Brodkin makes a very good point here suggesting that the reason that people of minority cultures moved up wasn’t due to one reason of working hard, but also for the movement of affirmative action. Affirmative action is a program that is around to try and level the playing field, or to make as many opportunities as equal as they should be. One example of this is title nine through out the school system. Schools must have as many girl programs in the athletic program as the boys. Secondly in this quotes she makes it clear for one to really think about is the United States a place of real opportunity now, and was it in the past? This really got me thinking about if I were here in the nineteen twenties what would become of me? Especially with my heritage of Irish, would this really be an opportune place for me to migrate to? This chapter also goes on to explain what red lining was and the Gi Bill. Until this chapter I never really quite understood why they call it red lining. Red lining was given this name because bankers and loaners would have this map that would circle in green the places in which they were to keep out the minorities, and then circle in red where they were allowed. The sad part about this whole situation is that it was kept away from the public eye so no one could pin on them discrimination. It also goes on to explain just how corrupt the GI Bill truly was. For example, the men were promised a better education, a good amount of money, and security. Out of all three the African Americans only received one, and it was horrible education compared to what they should have got.
Over all, reading this paper I got mixed reactions. My mixed reactions however, were and are mainly over the topic of affirmative action. Affirmative action could be good in a sense that it is trying to equal job and school opportunities. However, on the other hand I’m kind of shaky about the whole idea due to the meaning it. I know as a woman in the employment area I would not want to get my job to help out a statistic. But in summary, this paper has opened my eyes to the struggles that were put on minorities not only of color but of different religion. Color back then wasn’t all they shunned but also the lesser amount of religion in society.