[lbo-talk] the underprivileged soldier?

[Travis Fast]

Well it seems that it woud be not too much trouble to subtract the # of 
incacerated black and white and hispanic individuals from their relevant 
populations to derive a demographic breakdown of the non-incarcerated 
population. I also would correct for age because what we really want to 
know is the demographic breakdown of the non-incarcerated service age 
populations.  I suspect that once those corrections are made we will 
find that black americans are over-represented.  None of this solves the 
question of individual "choice" of course.  Not that "choice" would 
settle the question of deviations in the observed groups however.

Travis 

Doug Henwood wrote:


> John Lacny wrote:
>
>> What's the percentage of unincarcerated young black men who are in 
>> the military, vs. the percentage of unincarcerated young white men 
>> who are in the military?
>>
>> Until someone runs these numbers, I would suggest that everyone else 
>> shut up about all the great alternative, non-military options facing 
>> young men of color in this country, and about how recruits join the 
>> military out of pure "choice," because economic compulsion couldn't 
>> possibly be part of the equation. I really do not care to read 
>> anymore bullshit, sophist apologetics for this racist society along 
>> the lines of the Heritage Foundation. Thanks.
>
>
> Wow, wasn't that a thoughtful blast?! Do you feel better now?
>
> No one said anything about "great" alternatives to the military. But 
> the fact is that the military is more or less a cross-section of 
> American society. Slightly poorer than average, slightly darker, but 
> not all that much so. And, it seems, better educated than average. I 
> know it was a Heritage guy that ran the numbers, but until you can 
> find some actual fault with them, you don't really have much to say.
>
> Oh, and a lot of people sign up for the military because they believe 
> in it, and don't share your view of American society. That's not the 
> way I'd like it, but that's the way it is. Unless, of course, you have 
> some evidence to the contrary, which I doubt.
>
> Doug
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