Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was seen here not long ago doing his George Wallace imitation:
Alabama Gov. George Wallace, Inauguration Speech, Jan. 14, 1963: … I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say . . . segregation today . . . segregation tomorrow . . .segregation forever! [Ellipses in original]
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, opposing the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative at an NAACP Dinner, April 30, 2006: “Bring it on,” he roared. “We will affirm to the world that affirmative action will be here today, it will be here tomorrow and there will be affirmative action in the state forever.”
Now he’s at it again, announcing that Detroit will defy the new state constitutional amendment.
The state’s largest city has no immediate plans to stop giving favor to businesses owned by minorities and women, despite the state ban on racial and gender preferences that begins Saturday.
Detroit gives extra points to minority- and female-owned companies when assessing bids for city contracts. Those efforts to encourage diversity will continue beyond Saturday, said Matt Allen, a spokesman for Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
Of course Kwame Kilpatrick and his city are not the only scofflaws in Michigan.
“I’m not anticipating any changes to state government,” said Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for Gov. Jennifer Granholm. “We are still in the fact-finding mode and we are still assessing the impact of Proposal 2. We will be awaiting that review.”
University of Michigan, Michigan State, and Wayne State have been granted an extension until July to implement colorblindness in their admissions and financial aid for this cycle (a decision that is being appealed), but no such extension has been granted for any other purposes. Nevertheless,
U-M and MSU officials have said they will not eliminate their affirmative action programs in hiring because they are required under the federal government….
One can readily see why the citizens of Michigan no longer trusted their officials to promote racial fairness.
Hardcore bigots. The disease shows in every aspect of life in Detroit too.
I am confused by the actions of the City of Detroit and State of Michigan. Starting Monday, can’t you (or someone) start filing suit for hundreds of millions of dollars claiming damages because of the programs that are now in violation of the Michigan constitution? Wouldn’t it just be like shooting fish in a bucket for lawyers?
I suppose you anti-affirmative action types NEXT fervent request would be for the Michigan National Guard to be mobilized and deployed to Detroit to “enforce” Proposition 2 at the point of a gun.
That is the natural progression of the spurious civil rights era analogy you folks are attempting to draw, right?
–Cobra
What is so hard about obeying the law, Cobra? Citizens may, of course, decide not to, but not without consequences. Why should Detroit (or any of the Michigan academic institutions listed) not be punished for their illegal actions? If someone broke into your home, would you let them decide whether or not they should be charged with a crime?
Paul from Georgia writes:
>>>”If someone broke into your home, would you let them decide whether or not they should be charged with a crime?”
You, as a Georgia resident should know that’s not the simplest question to answer lately.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/27/national/main2210590.shtml
Paul writes:
>>>”What is so hard about obeying the law, Cobra? Citizens may, of course, decide not to, but not without consequences.”
Of course there are consequences. Martin Luther King was put in JAIL for his civil rights activities if you recall. Rosa Parks was arrested for not moving from the front of the bus. Indeed, most non-violent acts of civil disobedience can lead one to arrest or fines.
Some things are indeed worth fighting for.
–Cobra
“Some things are indeed worth fighting for.”
Yes, but what type of backwards people would fight for the right to engage in racial discrimination, in this day and age to boot?