Tossing Salt Presents:
A Day of Dougie:
Diversity & Quotas
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

It’s been a while, but welcome to a Day of Dougie. Nope, I’m not talking about the King of Sports, professional wrestling today. Maybe later this afternoon, but not right now. Instead, I’ve got something else on my mind. We’re talking about Diversity and the use of Quotas. No, it’s not going to be pretty. You’ve been warned. Now let’s roll.

The big thing today is diversity. Hiring someone for a job because they’re the best qualified and would be the best person to fill a certain job is not allowed anymore. Accepting someone to a school? Grades, character, and hard work don’t matter. It all comes down to filling a box and checking off a certain quota. It may be based on gender, race, financial status, weight, the color of your hair, how many cats you own, etc. It’s always something that allows those who may not otherwise belong or be qualified to jump ahead of the pack and get special privileges and rights.

Am I lying? This is not the America we grew up in and loved. This is not America where working hard, doing your best, staying out of trouble, and trying to be a good person would, more often than not, lead to prosperity and the American Dream. Yes, some had it harder than others due to different situations and conditions, and yes, that’s messed up, but again, more often than not, if the person was stubborn, consistent, and worked hard, refusing to give up, they could and would still move ahead and improve their lot in life.

Have I lied yet? But people started looking for excuses. Instead of being positive and continuing the fight, they look for excuses and reasons to pass the buck and blame others. Life isn’t fair and never has been, but making excuses as to why Pot-Head Johnny can’t get into the good college, who hangs out on the street, has three kids by three different women, has been to prison twice, and can’t hold a job, while Cracker Boy Tim, who is a straight-A student in school, works seven days a week without complaint and sings in the choir gets all the breaks, doesn’t work. It must be racism and white privilege, right? Yeah, of course it is. Oy vey!

I look at it like this. If two people do the same job, they should have the same pay, regardless of race or gender. If two people apply for a job or spot at a school, they should get equal consideration and the best person gets the spot, period. Affirmative action and quotas had their time and place and were a necessary evil back in the sixties and seventies, but it’s a different world now. Well, it was before 2008, but things changed since then and now everyone is a victim and oppressed. If you don’t believe them, just ask them and be ready to hear them whine. It’s not about personal responsibility and actions having consequences anymore. Now it’s about if a person can’t do it, it’s someone else’s fault. And if there are consequences to action, it’s because the person is being discriminated against and it’s unfair and wrong. Welcome to America. Lord help us all.

The bottom line here is that people need to grow up, shut up, and take personal responsibility. Quit playing the victim and thinking that everyone owes you something. Nobody owes anyone anything. You get what you put in and people get what they deserve. ‘Nuff said!

And to slightly change the subject and lighten the mood, I had a conversation with a friend of mine a few days ago. He’s a writer and does stories, scripts, books, and quite a few other things. He’s one of the most creative and intelligent people I’ve ever met and known, plus he’s a sexy smart-ass too. The complete package. Too bad he’s straight. But in our conversation, we realized something, which has assured me a spot in any future projects he may create. I’m the perfect diversity hire.

Yes, me. Quit laughing. I know that most look at me and see just a middle-aged white guy. And it’s true. I am middle-aged and my skin color is white. But look past the obvious and I check off all the boxes by myself. I’m fat, gay, and handicapped, so those three labels are covered. I once did drag for Halloween so that takes care of the transvestite category. I’m a registered Democrat and have been since 1984 so that shows that I’m obviously brain-damaged and have mental illness. And I’m a writer so I hear voices in my head almost constantly. That adds to the brain-damaged tag. And I have, once or twice, identified as a black woman from St. Louis named Louise. So trans? Who knows? I’ve got it covered. So I am truly the total package. Look past the cover and I’ve got all the bases covered.

And there you go. The bottom line is, and yes, I know I’m repeating myself, but I do that sometimes. It’s not my fault. See, I can do it too. The bottom line is no one is owed anything and the only true diversity that should be considered for anything is what you bring to the table as a person, regardless of your race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. And if you don’t like Hank Williams, you can kiss my…

Okay, this has been a Day of Dougie. You’re welcome. Thank you for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. Now, I’m going to go fix something for breakfast. Hot dogs or Stew Beef? Hmmmm. Have a great one and I’ll see you at the Wal-Mart.

Ubuntu!