[WSMDiscuss] The Myth of Meritocracy

[Umakant]

Dear Friends

Greetings! Pleaseclick on the links given below to read about the myth of ‘meritocracy’ asrevealed through college admissions cheating scandal in the US. 

 

Do pass it on toothers in your circle/network. 

 

Meritocracyis a myth invented by the rich 

Nathan Robinson, TheGuardian, March 14, 2019 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/14/meritocracy-myth-rich-college-admissions

 

In reality, there canbe never be such thing as a meritocracy, because there’s never going to befully equal opportunity. The main function of the concept is to assure elitesthat they deserve their position in life. It eases the “anxiety of affluence”, thatnagging feeling that they might be the beneficiaries of the arbitrary “birthlottery” rather than the products of their own individual ingenuity and hardwork. 

 

--------------------------------

 

Separateand Unequal: The Real Education Scandal Is America’s Affirmative Action Programfor White People 

Michael Harriot, TheRoot, March 14, 2019 

https://www.theroot.com/separate-and-unequal-the-real-education-scandal-is-ame-1833273732  

 

While theconversations surrounding the newly uncovered college cheating scandal havefocused on the advantages of the wealthy, the hypocrisy of those who demonizeaffirmative action, and the outrageous hubris of the elite, there is oneindisputable fact that most people have either consciously ignored oroverlooked entirely:

 

In America, whitepeople get a better education. Schools in white neighborhoods are better.Schools in black neighborhoods are worse. Majority-white public schools receivemore funding. Majority-black schools have fewer resources. And despite what theopponents of affirmative action would have you believe, it is easier to getinto college if you’re white. There is no evidence to the contrary. Every pieceof data shows it.

 

-------------------------------- 

 

A‘Meritocracy’ Is Not What People Think It Is

Ben Zimmer, The Atlantic, March 14,2019

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/03/college-admissions-scandal-what-meritocracy-really/584875/

 

The college-admissions scandal hasilluminated the fact that the word’s original definition was satirical. ButAmericans, for the most part, have ignored that entirely.

 

--------------------------------

 

College admission scandal grew outof a system that was ripe for corruption 

Rick Eickstein, The Conversation, March 13, 2019 

https://theconversation.com/college-admission-scandal-grew-out-of-a-system-that-was-ripe-for-corruption-113439

 

As part of the “OperationVarsity Blues” case that federal prosecutors announced March 12, dozens ofpeople – including Hollywood actresses and wealthy businessmen – stand accusedof having bought their children’s way into elite colleges and universities.

 

As a researcher whohas studied how young athletes get admitted to college, I don’t see a majordifference between this admission fraud case and how many wealthy families canbuy their children’s way into elite colleges through “back” and “side” doors. 

 

--------------------------------

 

With Regards 

Umakant, Ph. D 

New Delhi 

 












My final words of advice to you are educate, agitate and organize; have faith in yourself. With justice on our side I do not see how we can lose our battle. The battle to me is a matter of joy. The battle is in the fullest sense spiritual. There is nothing material or social in it. For ours is a battle not for wealth or for power. It is battle for freedom. It is the battle of reclamation of human personality. 
B.R.Ambedkar
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.openspaceforum.net/pipermail/wsm-discuss/attachments/20190314/640d3f51/attachment.htm>