An article in the Colorado Springs Independent claims that “affirmative-action opponents are once again sounding the death knell for programs that open doors for women and minorities.”
That is true only to the extent that those programs close the door, or make it harder to pass through, for everyone else. Lowering the bars to entry only for some, based on their race, ethnicity, or gender, raises it for everyone else, and thus is the essence of discrimination.
The article includes other misunderstanding of what it is that affirmative action critics criticize. Thus:
… the [Colorado Civil Rights] initiative’s challengers, including civil-rights and higher-education activists, say affirmative action is still relevant today. They cite misunderstandings about the program, such as the notion that minorities are taking positions that “belong” to whites.
“A lot of people think that affirmative action is based on racial quotas,” says Dennis Apuan, Southern Colorado organizer for Colorado Unity, a statewide equal-opportunity group. “It doesn’t have to do with quotas. It provides qualified individuals equal access.”
True, affirmative action programs often do employ quotas, explicit or implicit, but giving preferential treatment to people based on their race, ethnicity, or gender is discriminatory, and hence objectionable, whether or not quotas are employed.
Moreover, we critics do not claim that any positions “belong,” or should belong, to whites (or Asians or non-preferred minorities). All we claim is that everyone has a right, or should have a right, to be treated without regard to race, creed, or national origin.
“‘A lot of people think that affirmative action is based on racial quotas,’ says Dennis Apuan, [from] a statewide equal-opportunity group.”
Does Mr. Apuan fail to recognize the internal hostility between “affirmative action” and “equal opportunity” or does he think such contradicions are irrelevant in light of the moral imperative?
“Moreover, we critics do not claim that any positions “belong,” or should belong, to whites (or Asians or non-preferred minorities).”
Yeah, you gotta give them credit. Using scare quotes (“belong”) will also leave the impression that they are actually lifting a word used by Affirmative Discrimination opponents, as in “these here jobs belong to whites only”.
It will fool some, but not enough hopefully.
CENSORSHIP TEST A guide to Affirmative Action Supporters on how to read this site
“The White European uses Deception to control the World’s People of Color Majority” – Neely Fuller
The site is entitled “Discriminations” but it only seeks to eliminate discrimination against the World’s most powerful social group White European Males -
all other discrimination is not “discrimination”
Truth is not important – Being humane is not important only Warfare based upon White European-American Male supremacy
There is no commitment to correct past & current Sexism against Women or past & current Racism against People of Color
Any White European-American Supremacist that is afraid to proclaim that they support White European-American Supremacy is WEAK!
FreeMan – If the above is a “censorship test,” I guess I pass since your comment appears. On the other hand, it I did censor for silliness of content, it wouldn’t.
“The White European uses Deception to control the World’s People of Color Majority” – Neely Fuller’
Neal Fuller?? Is that the same Neal who calls on blacks to “Stop Snitching”? Is that someone you admire? Do you have any idea how badly crime, drugs and gangs have devastated black communities in America? And you quote this guy for ANYTHING???
Neely, not “Neal”, excuse me.