UMSL weighs in on affirmative action initiative
Carrie Fasiska
Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: News
Ward Connerly, a California businessman, has proposed an amendment to the Missouri Constitution that would ban affirmative action programs across the state.
The amendment would affect state departments and other public institutions such as public education, political subdivisions and public corporations.
This ballot initiative, the Missouri Civil Rights Initiative, is sponsored by the American Civil Rights Coalition and is just one of five state initiatives across the country including Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona and Oklahoma.
Currently, there is controversy in the state courts over the language of the proposed amendment. MoCRI filed a lawsuit against Robin Carnahan, Missouri secretary of state, for changing the language of the proposal.
The original ballot title read, "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to: ban affirmative action programs designed to eliminate discrimination against, and improve opportunities for, women and minorities in public contracting, employment and education; and allow preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin to meet federal program funds eligibility standards as well as preferential treatment for bona fide qualifications based on sex?"
MoCRI claimed that Carnahan rewrote the title to read "ban affirmative action programs designed to eliminate discrimination against, and improve opportunities for women and minorities." The ballot title has since been modified.
There are many groups around the state that are against MoCRI and the banning of affirmative action, including the WE CAN coalition.
On Wednesday, WE CAN held a public hearing to save affirmative action at Harris Stowe State College.
During the hearing, local advocates spoke about what affirmative action is, why St. Louis needs affirmative action and the projected local impact that the Civil Rights Initiative would have on higher education and local jobs.
Terry Jones, Ph.D., UM-St. Louis political science professor, spoke about why St. Louis needs affirmative action.
The amendment would affect state departments and other public institutions such as public education, political subdivisions and public corporations.
This ballot initiative, the Missouri Civil Rights Initiative, is sponsored by the American Civil Rights Coalition and is just one of five state initiatives across the country including Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona and Oklahoma.
Currently, there is controversy in the state courts over the language of the proposed amendment. MoCRI filed a lawsuit against Robin Carnahan, Missouri secretary of state, for changing the language of the proposal.
The original ballot title read, "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to: ban affirmative action programs designed to eliminate discrimination against, and improve opportunities for, women and minorities in public contracting, employment and education; and allow preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin to meet federal program funds eligibility standards as well as preferential treatment for bona fide qualifications based on sex?"
MoCRI claimed that Carnahan rewrote the title to read "ban affirmative action programs designed to eliminate discrimination against, and improve opportunities for women and minorities." The ballot title has since been modified.
There are many groups around the state that are against MoCRI and the banning of affirmative action, including the WE CAN coalition.
On Wednesday, WE CAN held a public hearing to save affirmative action at Harris Stowe State College.
During the hearing, local advocates spoke about what affirmative action is, why St. Louis needs affirmative action and the projected local impact that the Civil Rights Initiative would have on higher education and local jobs.
Terry Jones, Ph.D., UM-St. Louis political science professor, spoke about why St. Louis needs affirmative action.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Truth Teller
posted 2/20/08 @ 10:06 PM CST
You should be a shamed of yourself! Apparently I am one of the only anti-racist African Americans in this country. Affirmative action is nothing other than blatant racism and fighting for it is fighting for racism. (Continued…)
Jason
posted 2/22/08 @ 11:17 AM CST
=== "Affirmative action says that we cannot keep up with white men"
No, it's saying that we as a society recognize the importance of diversity and need to level the playing field. (Continued…)
Holly
posted 4/03/08 @ 11:37 PM CST
If there are going to be programs and scholarships based on some criteria other than grades and test scores, then it should be INCOME LEVEL. And that is IT. (Continued…)
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