Awesomelyglorious wrote:
Even if this is true, it is not true that government is the only possible enemy. Private discrimination also can reduce an individual's effective freedom to act, and this is a problem compatible with the market, even if undermined by the market in the long-run.
If there is any such thing as a basic human right, it is the right to associate or not associate with other folks according to one's choice. THEREFORE discrimination, in the sense of refusal to associate with others for any reason whatsoever is an exercise of a basic human right. In short, "discrimination" in the sense of not associating is not only permissible, it ought to be legal. If I own a business I have a right to hire or not hire on any basis whatsoever. I have a right to sell or not sell to a potential customer on any basis whatsoever. Who I associate with or not associate with is my choice or ought to be.
Having said that, personally I think discrimination based on superficial characteristics such as skin color, hair color shape of nose or other superficial physical characteristic is silly and stupid. That is my opinion on the matter. However I do not have the right to impose my standards of association on others nor do they have the right to impose their standards of association on me.
Racial discrimination should not be prohibited by law when practiced by individuals, but should be prohibited when practiced by governments which are supported by tax loot stolen from everyone.
ruveyn