[stretchwithme]

Well, I'm not in the business of telling minority kids they are wrong.

I'm just advocating that we don't reinforce the idea that achievement requires that you must be approved of by the mainstream. It does not. Dozens of other things are more important. Let us focus on those.

[trustfundbaby]

Don't think of it as reinforcement ... think of it as validation ;)

Seriously ... it goes a long way to hear somebody say to you

"you're not crazy, it is a bit tougher out there for you being a minority and based on that you've come a long way"

Thats when you follow it up with

"... but you can go even further"

[stretchwithme]

No, thanks. I'll just continue to treat all people as capable of performing amazing things and accepting them as they develop to whatever extent.

[michaelchisari]

Recognizing the myriad factors involved in social capital, social networks, and cultural bias should not be misconstrued as reinforcing privilege. In practice, it's exactly the opposite.