(no subject)
PROPOSAL 06-2
A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO BAN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
PROGRAMS THAT GIVE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS
BASED ON THEIR RACE, GENDER, COLOR, ETHNICITY OR NATIONAL ORIGIN FOR
PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION OR CONTRACTING PURPOSES
The proposed constitutional amendment would:
•
groups or individuals based on their race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin for public
employment, education or contracting purposes. Public institutions affected by the proposal include
state government, local governments, public colleges and universities, community colleges and
school districts.
Ban public institutions from using affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to
•
ethnicity, race, color or national origin. (A separate provision of the state constitution already
prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin.)
Should this proposal be adopted?
This post has nothing to do with whether the above proposal should have passed or not. Rather, I wanted to address the argument that 'many people wrongly voted for because the proposal was worded in such a way that it was confusing'. I read it. What part is confusing? I see that it plainly states "Ban affirmative action".
I only bring this up because I was in a seminar this week about diversity in the workplace and the discussion of AA came up. I mentioned that it was recently on the ballot in Michigan and right away someone piped up with "well, it was difficult to understand, so many people unknowingly voted for it". Okay, I know many of the radio stations were saying that, but read it. It says BAN multiple times.
My other thought is that (some of) the people that did vote for it, did it not to 'restore things to the way they were', but more so because people are frustrated with the system. Its not a perfect system. It does have its flaws.
I don't know what the solution is, and I don't pretend that I do. The world has never been black and white (colors, not skin tones). It has never been yes or no. Everything in life is a decision based on experiences, thoughts, and that whole grey area.
If I have another free minute, I'll comment on the atroscities of Ohio, and why its residents need to get a life.
Prohibit public institutions from discriminating against groups or individuals due to their gender,