The future of the Affirmative Action Program continues to attract considerable national debate. Does the need to continue this program outweigh the objections raised by many of the more vocal conservatives?
Name: Helenoftroy Email: interaction@usa.net Response:
The thing I don't understand is why black Americans, in many cases, steadfastly refuse to give themselves credit for the advances that they- yes, THEY- have made. Obviously, for a person to condemn affirmative action, they have to think that it does not need to exist. So am I hearing that full equality has been achieved in this country? No. I thought not. So why dump one of the most effective programs this nation has ever had? Affirmative action has only BEEN here for twenty years, and its social record is impeccable. So what's the problem? Some white **** trying to tell us that it is 'unfair' or that it is 'no longer neede'? Who gave him the power to do that? After all, it sure wasn't any white person's idea to have affirmative action around. Why are white people's opinions suddenly so important now, when things are finally getting better? Regardless of what the white backlash media says, of course.
Name: K. Leonard Email: k8wra@juno.com Response:
Affirmative action has been and will continue to be a useful tool for some of us who have been greatly deprived in this society;for as long as it is still in place. However, blacks have a long track record which shows that they have the intelligence and resoursefulness to overcome whatever obstacles have been placed in their way. Whatever the fate of affirmative action, I am confident that they will continue to overcome those obstacles. But, we should use all of the tools that are available for as long as they are available.
Name: Brother M Email: Bushtel@iafrica.com Response:
By this time, it should be profoundly clear to all thinking people that African-Americans will have to go their own way in America. By this, I mean to finally take their fates in their own hands, to rebuild and repeople our communities, to make our communities safe from drugs and crime, to take reponsibility for one another and to rejoin the human race. African-Americans have extrordinary resources at our disposal. Lets use them. Lets not place all of our faith, all of our hopes, in what America can/might/will do for us. Even a cursory examination of history will show futile that is! I used to blame 90 percent of our situation on white racism. Now I think that 90 percent of the blame for our apathy, our indifference, lies with us. We set ourselves out from others with similar histories and wonder why we can't get movin'. We are just like so many races, castes, call it what you like, that have been beaten down. Most of the others have managed to struggle back to their feet and to press on. I say that we can also. We need to stop sending all our best brains to the IBM's and Xerox's of the world. Most will never find their niche. Most will languish. No, encourage them to stay home and to set up enterprises and to employ others. We need to assume more reponsibility for the things that happen within our domains; our families, our neighborhoods, our cities, et. al. We need to link up with people like us around the world, and not just based on historical sentiment. Let's do business together. Let's open schools. Let's get used to going to "our" beautiful spots in the world. A struggle is being waged that is much, much larger than any single individual. Africa will be key. The sleeping giant is fast awakening...we should look for practical and pragmatic ways to join that struggle.
Name: N. PAIGE YARBOROUGH Email: NPYARBOR@UNCG.EDU Response:
AS A MINORITY LIVING IN THE NORTH CAROLINA I THINK THAT
THERE IS A NEED FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAMS IF
NOT THE "GOOD OLE BOYS" WILL NOT HIGHER ANY MINORITY IN THEIR
COMPANIES
Name: Robin Hood Email: merriman@iserv.net Response:
Affirmative Action, laws restricting free speech, forced integration, and the many other government interventions designed to supposedly eliminate racism are really designed to promote racism. There are two kinds of racism, 1.natural racism based on group psychology, and 2. antagonistic racism based on governments pitting subjegated groups against eachother. Good racism gives one pride in and identity with ones own kind. This group psychology extends beyond race in many forms, bonds within a family, a nation, a culture, or even a sports team. Good racism is what gives us our sense of who we are, our heritage, and is a natural instinct in group oriented animals like human beings. Pride and solidarity give groups the mental and physical power to stand up against tyranny and oppression. Governments including our own are based on subjegation and absolute control of their citizens. To accomplish these ends governments use two main devices, 1. the Machiavelian principle of devide and conquer, and 2. the destruction of personal identity. By keeping subjects squabbling amongst themselves they are too preoccupied to challenge government authority, and by destroying identity the populus lacks pride or a sense of individual worth and becomes complacent and controlable. Where natural racism already creates groups laws favoring one group or the other cause antagonistic sentiments an hostility is instilled. While the peasants fight eachother the lords continue to rob them all of there wealth and their human rights. The government killed Martin Luther King and Randy Weaver's family, yet blacks and whites fight eachother instead of their common enemy the oppressing tyrants of government. Laws favoring either race or forcing them to adopt eachothers culture create hostile racism. Affirmative action robs blacks of recieving due credit for their achievements by letting whites dismiss it as the result of favoritism not ability. Affirmative action makes the condescending statement that blacks can't make it without help from the whites. Forced integration will ultimately lead to the destruction of all races and all cultures. We will have no identity as proud blacks or whites, we'll all be muts, faceless noids, cogs in the wheel no different than anyone else. Why is it so many can see the value of preserving a species of wild animal, yet think nothing of debauchering the gene pool of their own race. In history blacks have been slaves and whites have been slaves, it wasn't a race that enslaved either, the slave owners and traders have existed in all cultures. The enslavers are the greedy and the power hungry, these are the enemies who would oppress us and destroy the beauty of diversity in our cultures. The racial slur laws are not to protect us from hurt feelings they're the open door to taking away our freedom to speak! The gun laws are not to protect the people but to disarm them so that they cannot resist toalitarian government. Make your own oppurtunities don't become dependent on handouts. Keep your heritage, keep your pride, coexist with others while preserving your lineage, speak freely, arm yourselfs against evil, and tell the government to get the hell out of your life!
Name: Robyn Mars Email: Robyn_M_Mars@bcbsma.com Response:
I believe "minorities" need Affirmative Action.
The program has not fulfilled its purpose yet.
As in anything run by the government it has its
flaws, however, it has helped many. Of course
there are the "Tom's" and the "token blacks" in
business but at least they are people of color.
If these people that have made it because of
Affirmative Action can get in the door and help
others of color then I say more power to them.
As it stands right now Affirmative Action has
mainly benefitted white women. Unfortunately,
many white women do not realize this and will
probably go along with thier husbands and vote
against the affirmative action program. Although
many people will not agree with me but I feel
Afircan Americans have come far. I admit we
still have a long way to go but in order to get
there we have to work together and help whenever
we can. If there is a program out there in place
that obviously has white americans nervous then
we want to try and keep it in place. These men
(white) in power are not only nervous about the
people of color but also about white women having
too much power. You must realize that they need
to control their women also.
majority
Name: david Email: wellingt@erols.com Response:
I remember reading someone white saying that affirmative was created becuase other people(meaning white) would not naturally do the right thing. Well I agree 30yrs later that with its demise white people will go back to their old ways and start up the problems again
We (people other than white) need it only because you and I know that historically these people will repeat themselves over and over again. Lets just face it the white male can not stand to have an even playing field. Oh! and don't be fooled by his counterpart she will always support him.
Name: Gene Email: ap065@osfn.rhilinet.gov Response:
In a perfect world, all would be judged without regard to color, etc. But we don't live in a perfect world. We all know the history of this country and the role it designated for people of color prior to affirmative action. No right-thinking American should want to return to those days. With that said, however, we must face the fact that there are some problems with affirmative action as we know it. There us far too much corruption and fraud engendered in the system as it is now. In the first place, too many programs have been established which use bourgeois Blacks as "gatekeepers". These Bro's and Sisters are usually connected with the church or academia and they make their living off the turnover of Blacks coming through their programs. They have been given block grants to administer these programs, and their true interest is not in increasing minority numbers in college or the workforce, but rather to provide just enough bodies coming through for their white masters to claim compliance with EEO laws. Some of these Toms in academia even devise programs that are more difficult than those encountered in a standard admission. The result is more Blacks failing to make the grade. Instead of indicating that something is wrong, the high failure rates just serve as added justification for continuing the programs ("See, we TOLD you we were needed to help the poor minorities!") Better RECOGNIZE, people!
Name: Vincent W. Email: vincent@sound.net Response:
I believe that the 'Affirmative Action Programs' that are in place today are for the best.
Even with these programs we as a minority group have been shunned and discriminated against anyway.
As with any program, there has always been a loophole or sometimes just outright hatred and ignorance has been utilized and felt.
Because we are still considered inferior by many we will always have an uphill battle. Now matter how intelligent, how charismatic, or how
well we dress, we will always be less than and not worthy of equal opportunity in the eyes of the majority.
While I do believe that anyone should deserve a job or opportunity just because he/she is a minority, I believe that the playing ground should continue to
strived for.
Name: Ralph A. Randall Email: Response:
Affirmative action is as close as the conservative's have come to their promise of 40 acres & a mule. What do you expect from them ? Steven Biko (Black South African) was reminded before his death that the People in power had no intentions of giving up plush acreage so that poor black south africans could move from their wretched conditions. The conservative south africans adopted this attitude mainly because they (South Africans in power) are making a place for thier children and their childrens children. There is lots of discussion about the many hunrded millions of dollars that the African American has access to and should begin to redirect or turnover more often in the African American community. I am suggesting that the American conservatives offered a token to shield the reality of their intentions not to make true on the 40 acres and mule. The token affirmative action programs undoubtly was helpful to some and as long as they exit affirmative action programs will be helpful to some, but this does not change that the program is only a token. I consede that it is a helpful token to those who find themselves an opportunity to benifit from it. The conservatives established the program to be so inclusive that the payback for renege on the slaves/the 40 acres & mule would/could not happen. Inaddition, I suggest, that the conservative are fearful of the discussion about African Americans and what they should do with their money. I believe concervatives percieve a threat to their plush acreage if the African American discussion about money is followed through and indeed African Americans begin to spend less money on NEW CARS, NEW HOMES and NEW STUFF where there is no benefit to black Merchants, WOrkers, People. African Americans and poor people are waking up conservatives see them rising. Conservatives have made their play .... whose turn is it !!!
Name: Sherise Steele Email: slanays@umich.edu Response:
conservatives (white conservs.) will continue
to object to equal opportunity for blacks.
they know that TRUE equal opportunity will not come
to pass without a redistribution of the WEALTH that
they have accumulated because of our free labor.
people have a problem with affirmative action
programs because they are "race based" but they can
overlook the race base of american oppression.
peace.
Name: Sharon D.P. Email: Response:
The need to continue Affirmative Action
programs most definetly out weighs objections
by vocal conservatives. The call to end Affirmative Action, by the conservative mainstream,
should be viewed as a sign to continue
programs that include, not exclude,
individuals based on competency, qualifications,
and diversity. Affirmative action is an agreement
to act in a positive manner. Ending Affirmative Action
would be a step in the wrong direction. The conservative
mainstream, an exclusive group, is fearful of sharing
the reign of wealth, power, and decision making. Therefore,
by ending affirmative action, the conservative mainstream
is once again unaccountable for excluding
diversity in education, employment, and housing.
Name: Stephanie Augmon Email: augmons@cyberusa.net Response:
I am a black woman who believes the "Affirmative Action Program"
does not benefit "me" at all.
Most programs are being used as a race-based
program. Employers have so many "black" slots
to fill. This program mostly benefits white women
I could care less if they delete the program
altogether.
Name: Joe Email: mmcdev@erols.com Response:
If affirmative action is discouraged, what do they propose to end the priviledges that white males received and are still receiving in this society. Discrimination does not go away just by saying that it is gone. Sonlight.
