While we might like to think otherwise, the issue of affirmative action is not ended in California and needs to be addressed fully. Opponents of affirmative action see the recent vote on Proposition 209 as proof that the system is disliked, but they also seem to view the vote as having settled the matter so that the problem is solved. In our academic community in particular, we should know better. We should understand that we cannot simply pronounce a problem solved--we have to solve it in reality. we have to have the means to accomplish the important task of including all races and socio-economic groups in our classes, and yet opponents of affirmative action have not provided any system to replace what they have eliminated.
In fact, recent news reports have been disturbing as lead opponent Ward Connerly has called a chancellor before the Board of Regents to explain why his program has not had a decline in minority enrollment and instead has had an increase. Connerly implies that without affirmative action, this should not be possible. His earlier claim to want more minorities, just with a different system, thus seems false.
We recognize the importance of extending the benefits of education to all American citizens and the need to include more of those who have been excluded in the past. we need real, concrete, and effective programs to accomplish this task. if we have to start with very young students and train them to be ready, we have to create programs to do that. If we have to find ways to get more minorities to apply, we have to do that. We have to have a real alternative, and we need it immediately.
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