In Is politics the way?, Walter Williams attacks the “article of faith that progress for black people requires racial politics and government programs”:
Whether you’re black, white or polka dot, to take advantage of opportunities, you must be prepared. A large part of preparation is a decent K-12 education.For children to do well in school, there are some minimum requirements. Someone must make them do their homework, see that they get a good night’s rest, prepare a breakfast and make sure they get to school on time and obey school authorities. This is not rocket science, but here’s my question: Can those requirements be met by a president, member of Congress or a mayor?
Sounds like Bill Cosby…
Some intriguing facts:
Historically, black families have been relatively stable. From 1880 to 1960, the proportion of black children raised in two-parent families held steady at around 70 percent; in 1925 Harlem, it was 85 percent. Today, only 38 percent of black children are raised in two-parent families. In 1940, black illegitimacy was 16 percent; today, it’s 70 percent.
His conclusion:
Solutions to the most serious problems facing black Americans will not be found in the political arena. Otherwise, the problems would have been long solved with the civil rights legislation, litigation and the more than $8 trillion spent on poverty programs since 1965.
Apparently The Washington Times editorial staff leans to the right. (Hat tip to Reason’s Hit & Run.)