Affirmative action remains controversial

By Lori Michael
Staff Writer

The set of public policies and initiatives to help eliminate past and present discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, is constantly put into question. Affirmative Action is designed to help integrate minorities into accomplishing the goals they sought out to do, such as going to college or getting a job. However, should someone’s race/gender be strongly weighed for college admission?

“Getting into college should be based on your own merit,” says Joe DeGuzman, who is Filipino. “If I got in [to college] for being a minority I would feel guilty.”

Across the country, colleges and universities use Affirmative Action as a stepping stone for acceptances or rejects. For instance, the University of Michigan Law School awards a certain number of points to a person who is either black or Latino. William Paterson University, on the other hand, claims it does not base their acceptances on Affirmative Action. But on the Undergraduate/Graduate application, one still has to put a check in the box for race and gender.

“If you always need a stepping stone then mind set will not change,” says Corey Schor.

Former President Lyndon Johnson established Affirmative Action into law in September 1965. The policy was recognized among blacks, Latinos, women, and other minorities who would no longer tolerate inequality and segregation. Affirmative action outlawed formal legal segregation between the races, but is it fair?

“It [affirmative action] violates the Equal Protection Claus of the Fourteenth Amendment,” says senior Steve DeGennaro. “People are being allowed into college simply based on their skin color or ethnic background. In my eyes it is more of an insult to the beneficiaries because it is telling them they need help to get in the school because they can not get in there based on merit.”

The Equal Protection Claus of the Fourteenth Amendment states no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. The 14 Amendment was designed to restrain state governments from abridging the rights of former slaves after the Civil War.

Brian Morris, a sophomore, also feels Affirmative action does harm than good. “I think its [Affirmative action] bad,” Morris says. “For being a white male it takes on an absolutely another form of discrimination when applying for college or a job, ‘we already have enough of you.’”

However, WPU communication student Shante Jones feels Affirmative action is a well regarded policy and should remain to serve its purpose.

“It [Affirmative action] can’t be abolished until there is equality on both sides,” states Jones.

Kyle Meade feels the same way as Jones.

“The only way to get rid of Affirmative action is give everybody the same fair opportunity,” says Meade. “Until then, there is always going to be a disadvantage.”

Affirmative action is a topic many people do not discuss openly. However, the more people who do not voice their feelings about Affirmative action, whether for or against, the issue becomes more of a problem.

“It [Affirmative action] is not just a black, white, Latino, Asian, issue,” says Malika Oyetimeim. “It is everyone’s issue.”

Supreme Court
For the first time in years, the issue of Affirmative Action is being brought to the Supreme Court. The University of Michigan’s Law School and Undergraduate program are getting put on trial for its admission tactics, which is awarding points for people who are either African American or Latino, while White students are not awarded any points for their background. The scale is based on 150 points.

William Paterson English Professor Timothy Liu went on a sabbatical for the Spring 2002 semester to the University of Michigan. While on sabbatical in Michigan, Liu taught creative writing classes for undergrad and graduate students; plus, he assisted the Master of Fine Arts admissions board.

“Race/gender is important because you need to have a student body that represents the world,” says Liu. “The strongest student we accepted was a minority.”

Liu also went on to mention the score sheets were different colors: green for minorities and yellow for non-minority students.

How do William Paterson students feel about the U-M law school case?
“In this case, its sad that it [Affirmative Action] has to be used at the law school level,” says freshmen Jen Riggins. “At this point in the educational career, everyone should be equal and things like LSATs and grades should really be the only factors.”However, Kyle Meade feels differently.

“It may seem unfair to the law students who did not get accepted to Michigan, but they should just deal with it,” says Meade.

The two University of Michigan applicants, Barbara Gutter and Jennifer Gratz, will have a ruling from the court in June.

University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman states in a speech she made to the American Council on Education, “Today I want to explore what is at stake not just for Michigan but for all of higher education, and what is at stake for the United States if we turn away from a fundamental principle that has worked well for 25 years,” says Coleman.

March in Capital

On April 1, both Shante Jones and Malika Oyetimeim ventured to Washington D.C. on the day the case was first brought forth before the Supreme Court, and they marched in support of Affirmative Action, which was sponsored by the New Civil Rights Movement and BAMN (By any Means Necessary).

“We marched down Constitution Avenue to the Lincoln Memorial,” says Oyetimeim. “At the Lincoln Memorial there was a rally with speakers.”

Jones was tired of complaining and felt she had to do something.

“I felt I had to go down there,” says Jones.

Oyetimeim went to D.C. to show her support but to also represent the people who could not be there.

“I feel not enough black youth are aware or are widely represented,” says Oyetimeim. “I felt my presence, along with the thousands who were there, show we do care. I was there for people who could not be there, too.”

Both girls woke up at 4 a.m. to make it to the bus, which was scheduled to leave at 5 a.m. but did not leave until 6 a.m.

Jones discusses the importance of Affirmative Action, not just for minorities, but also for women, the handicapped, and Asians.

“More people need to be behind it [Affirmative Action],” says Jones.

Oyetimeim mentions how white and African American children get a different education when they are growing-up.

“Little Timmy and Little Rafeek aren’t getting the same preparation,” says Oyetimeim. “Down the road, Rutgers is going to strictly have admissions on computers, so what are my cousins going to do when it comes time to apply, if they don’t have access to a computer?”

Jones felt the march was an old reflection of America.

“If we needed a march then it shows we are going backwards in time,” says Jones.
The march meant something to Oyetimeim.

“ I feel like I marched for something my mother marched for,” says Oyetimeim.

May 8 , 2003 Issue