Walter Benn Michaels on “The Trouble With Diversity”

The awareness and pride of diversity coupled with the neglect and indifference to inequality.

Difference between racial indentity and economic identity.

While there is diversity in US universities, which is proudly displayed on their websites, there is no mention of their (parents) economic status.

The cultivation and celebration of diversity blinded us to the increasing inequality in American life.

According to WB Michaels one of the main culprits is American liberalism. It's more interested in dealing with racism than with economic inequality. American liberalism is foremost concerned with redistributing respect than redistributing income.

Affirmative action is in fact an illusion that our society is a fairer place. Affirmative action has accomplished that the rich kids come in appropriate numbers of colored people.

He makes a very good point about social justice and women equality around 36:45 when he brings up Walmart.

H/T SocDem21

Here is an interview with him.