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All Politics is Loco: Affirmative re-action

By Sean Kosofsky

It appears certain that a measure will appear on the ballot this November that will ask voters to eliminate affirmative action programs in Michigan. Proponents of the measure are not from our state, and neither is their funding. Under the guise of promoting "equality" and "non-discrimination," supporters of the misnamed Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) claim they want to end preferential treatment based on race or sex in publicly supported programs. In actuality, this ballot measure would roll back the clock in Michigan, decrease representation of women and minorities on college campuses and produce a more "pale" and "male" workforce. And that is just the beginning.
Nearly every major Republican voice in Michigan is opposing the proposal. They say it will hurt valuable programs for women and possibly hurt gender segregated schools. The leading beneficiaries of affirmative action have been women. But I fear that whites gloss over the benefits that affirmative action has had in terms of producing a more racially integrated state.
After California passed a similar measure in 1996 there was an dramatic fall-off of minority enrollment on college campuses. Racism and sexism are still rampant. If our institutions are not actively working to dismantle privilege, racism and sexism, they will continue to exact a toll on our society. I know I am a better educated and more aware person because of affirmative action. I probably never will be fully able to appreciate how much the changing world around me has been shaped by these programs.
Has affirmative action been abused? Maybe. But the real abuse is the alternative – state sanctioned sexism and racism which has produced a society of deep divisions and mistrust among races. White men benefit from racism and sexism every minute of every day – and don't know it. Until we have a society where people are judged on merit when seeking a job or an apartment, we will need to address the problem our nation has produced: dramatic under representation of important voices.
Leaders of GLBT organizations have come together to discuss the issue and work to defeat the ballot measure. Triangle Foundation has been a leader in rounding up over 50 GLBT organizations around the state to officially denounce the measure. Other groups like ACLU, AFSC, Black Pride Society and Affirmations are also working to raise awareness.
During this campaign to get GLBT organizations around the state to come out against the ballot measure, I have been surprised at how easily organizations get on board. Every organization that has been approached has been an unqualified "yes." I am so proud of our GLBT leadership in Michigan.
It is important for our entire community to oppose this ballot measure for several reasons. First, it will hurt GLBT women and people of color. Second, because it is racist and sexist. Also, any attack on minorities and women is an attack on us all. Finally, because it bad public policy.
A few years ago, President Bush came out against affirmative action on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I couldn't believe he would choose that day to oppose the U of M policy that was working to fulfill the dream of one of our nation's most important leaders. Triangle Foundation immediately came out with a statement supporting U of M's admissions policies and opposing Bush's act of injustice. We knew we were doing the right thing but at least one supporter of Triangle immediately lashed back at us by stopping his financial support and removing us from his will. This kind of reaction is short sighted and dangerous.
Being strong leaders and doing the right thing does have consequences, but we do not apologize for doing what is right, even if it is unpopular. The reaction of this one gay man shows that we still have a great deal of work to do in our community regarding issues of race, sex, power and privilege. Hopefully by sticking together, no other GLBT charity will face this kind of reaction. When we all unite around a common issue, we are capable of great things.

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Topics: Opinions
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