<span>The commander's conclusion is based on utilitarianism, which is the belief that whatever action benefits the most people is the morally correct action to take. Even if that action is harmful to oneself or even illegal.</span>
Many Americans of goodwill who want to reduce poverty believe that race is no longer relevant to understanding the problem, or to fashioning solutions for it. This view often reflects compassion as well as pragmatism. But we cannot solve the problem of poverty -- or, indeed, be the country that we aspire to be -- unless we honestly unravel the complex and continuing connection between poverty and race.
