Spring Break
Affirmative action talk grows heated
Joshua Seiden
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News
Connerly offered suggestions as to how affirmative action programs can be improved.
"I think that the fair and equitable way is, first of all, eliminate any preferences based on race or gender or ethnic background," he said. "But, I think we should go and look at socioeconomic kinds of things. Someone who has never had a parent go to college; that individual has a greater obstacle than someone whose parents have gone to college."
Some government intervention can be good for society, Connerly said.
"I favor socioeconomic affirmative action," he said. "I think the government should be helping those that need help. But, we should not say and we cannot say anymore, with the growing black middle class, that just because your skin is brown you automatically need help and therefore you should be targeted for some sort of, quote, affirmative action of the preferential variety."
Connerly cited the ambiguity of race as a reason why racial preferences do not work.
"With more people marrying across lines of race, the lines are getting more blurred and it's more difficult to demonstrate who you are," he said. "There's no membership card you can bring in that says 'I'm an authentic black.'"
Not everyone on hand agreed with Connerly.
Shariece L. Canady, vice president of the Black Law Students Association, said she believes affirmative action is necessary in higher education. Once admitted, students still have to perform well academically, Canady said.
"The students are going to have to prove themselves," she said. "If they can't make the cut, then they aren't going to be there very long anyway."
Before Connerly addressed the crowd, several audience members distributed fliers opposing legislation that would end affirmative action programs.
Throughout Connerly's brief lecture, audience members were vocal in their objection to his views. When he opened the floor to questions, several terse exchanges ensued.
Kimiko Gilmore said she was insulted by Connerly's initiatives.
"I think that the fair and equitable way is, first of all, eliminate any preferences based on race or gender or ethnic background," he said. "But, I think we should go and look at socioeconomic kinds of things. Someone who has never had a parent go to college; that individual has a greater obstacle than someone whose parents have gone to college."
Some government intervention can be good for society, Connerly said.
"I favor socioeconomic affirmative action," he said. "I think the government should be helping those that need help. But, we should not say and we cannot say anymore, with the growing black middle class, that just because your skin is brown you automatically need help and therefore you should be targeted for some sort of, quote, affirmative action of the preferential variety."
Connerly cited the ambiguity of race as a reason why racial preferences do not work.
"With more people marrying across lines of race, the lines are getting more blurred and it's more difficult to demonstrate who you are," he said. "There's no membership card you can bring in that says 'I'm an authentic black.'"
Not everyone on hand agreed with Connerly.
Shariece L. Canady, vice president of the Black Law Students Association, said she believes affirmative action is necessary in higher education. Once admitted, students still have to perform well academically, Canady said.
"The students are going to have to prove themselves," she said. "If they can't make the cut, then they aren't going to be there very long anyway."
Before Connerly addressed the crowd, several audience members distributed fliers opposing legislation that would end affirmative action programs.
Throughout Connerly's brief lecture, audience members were vocal in their objection to his views. When he opened the floor to questions, several terse exchanges ensued.
Kimiko Gilmore said she was insulted by Connerly's initiatives.
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