In a move that should not be a surprise to people on either side of the Proposal 2 debate, both Ward Connerly and Jennifer Gratz, the two forces behind a ballot measure seeking to ban affirmative action , skipped a scheduled debate in Flint Tuesday night. Officially, they say they did not agree with the format of the debate. Others say that they were intimidated coming into Flint, an area where opposition to Proposal 2 is high. The truth is, Connerly and Gratz have nothing to gain by participating in any kind of discourse on the matter. The bailout shows that both know their best chance for success is keeping people as poorly informed as possible.
Anyone who has had a conversation about affirmative action has likely heard a horror story. Everyone seems to know someone who was denied a job in favor of a less qualified minority or female, and many are not shy about sharing those urban legends.
I am not sure that affirmative action has always worked according to plan, but now is not the right time to ban it completely. I am all for open discussion of any policy and better or more enlightened ways of doing things. Banning it outright, however, suggests that there is no longer any problem with inequity, and that is simply untrue. To do away with affirmative action without an effective policy in place to ensure the government, businesses, universities and other institutions are mindful of giving minorities equal opportunities is just irresponsible.
Do minorities and women today have a better chance at avenues that were shut off to them 40 years ago? Absolutely. Are we anywhere near a society in which prejudices are tossed aside and everyone is treated fairly? I am not so sure.
Take a look at elected positions, police departments, schools, government jobs, boards of directors and other high profile, highly sought positions. There may be slightly more minorities than in the past, but certainly not enough to justify those who say affirmative action is being abused and shutting out qualified people simply to have a more multi-cultural makeup.
Affirmative action is simply not the problem that those pushing Proposal 2 make it out to be. It is a purposely divisive issue. The proposal is making the not-so-subtle implication that Michigan’s economic woes could be the result of unqualified individuals being given positions they do not deserve. This leads the masses of unemployed to point the fingers at minorities during election time, instead of at the one place they rightfully should be pointing: squarely at the elected officials.
In theory, affirmative action was intended for positive purposes. A professor asked one of my classes, “If you have two people who are equally fast in a foot race, one with perfect form and the other with flawed form, who would you pick for your team?” Of course, most of the class picked the runner with perfect form. “Wrong,” the professor said. “You take the one with bad form, teach him or her perfect form, and he or she becomes even faster than the one with perfect form.”
The simple intention of affirmative action is to give those who have historically been shut off from certain pursuits because of discrimination, income level, etc., an opportunity to compete. I am open to debate whether or not it has worked as it should or could be improved. Banning it completely before a viable alternative is in place to protect minorities is not what our weak economy needs right now.

Meetings televised
Comcast Public Access Channel 17 has scheduled the October Grand Blanc Township committee of the whole and board meetings to air today and tomorrow. The committee of the whole meeting will be shown today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. The board meeting will be shown Friday at 1 p.m.
Comcast will also be airing the Community Leadership Breakfast with Al Sharpton at 10 a.m. today and 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
The programs were taped by E.M. Tune.

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