Born on Third Base: Book Post 1
Each chapter of Chuck Collin’s book Born on Third Base presents the reader with a new takeaway. In chapters six through nine, Mr. Collins introduces the dynamics of privilege, positive nature of government aid, and racial contributions to wealth disparities. Chapters six and nine revolve around the dynamics of privilege and the idea that, “seeing privilege is hard”(62). In chapter six, Mr. Collins presents scenarios exemplifying this idea such as his bike riding metaphor and hometown teen employment traditions. Whereas, in chapter nine he provides possible solutions to the vail of privilege including sustained public investments, charitable foundations, and internship policing by the US Department of Labor.
Mr. Collin’s message in chapter 8 is that it is not shameful to receive government aid. Additionally, he wishes that those who have benefitted from this aid recognize the effects that their gain has had on future generations of their families. This chapter is set in a Retired Men’s Club, an organization catering to many World War II veterans. As revealed through the discussions between Mr. Collins and individuals within the chapter, many of these veterans were recipients of post-World War II mortgage subsidies, hence the chapter title “The Greatest Subsidized Generation”. As Mr. Collins discovers, many of the veterans are quick to recognize the programs as beneficial to their community as a whole; however, when it becomes a more personal matter, opinions quickly shift. During a conversation, one veteran reveals, “guys our age like to think we did it alone. We’re ashamed to admit we got any help,” (71) potentially included to explain the reasoning why certain policies maintain in place.
Chapter 9 focuses on racial contributions to wealth disparities. In this chapter Mr. Collins emphasizes that as a society we must not stop discussing race equality, regardless of how many times it has been repeated before. He writes that, “It is not uncommon to hear my white friends speak from a sense of ‘race fatigue’ after being part of thousands of conversations,” (77) which recalled when a man from chapter 8 had said, “aw come on, let’s not do that whole white guilt thing,” (69) as the topic of racial advantage had been addressed. He concludes chapter 8 by proposing that all Americans recognize the disproportionate gains received from slavery which have still not been properly repaid.
Much of the book discusses the disparities faced by members of society. What do you think could be done and how do you think Collins would approach "repaying the gains" from slavery?
ReplyDeleteDaniel,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Collin certainly raises interesting points in Chapter 8 about racial inequality. It's fascinating to see a "one per-center" be so passionate about trying to uplift other sections of society.
best,
Angad Singh
I believe your second paragraph highlights an important point. Many of those vets recognized how lucky they were and how the subsidized purchases helped them accumulate wealth. Rather than the government physically taking that money through increased taxes, their recognition of the advantages should spur them to give back through their own free will, towards causes they care about.
ReplyDelete-Grant Nunley
there are important racial contributions to wealth disparities, and I do think that there were tremendous gains received from slavery, but it is not easy to call on today those who were responsible, and to value all the gains that were received in the past, so we might rather focus on giving back by insuring that race is not as much involved in wealth disparity in the future as it today.
ReplyDelete-ghali