Equal Opportunity May 4, 1999

The History of Race and Ethnic Relations in the United States has not been Peaceful l Irish l Chinese/Japanese l Jews l Native Americans l Hispanics l African Americans l Italians, Poles, etc.

Real Courage was Involved in Working on Race/Ethnic Relations l American history has not been conflict free l Rule of law often did not apply to those who were subjects of discrimination

Choice 1: People, not government, can ensure fairness l PROPONENTS SAY l Our rights are protected without affirmative action l We must respect people as individuals l It is good business

Americans strongly affirm the merit principle l Do you approve or disapprove of favoring a minority applicant who is less qualified than a white applicant when filling a job in a business that has few minority workers (March 1995, Gallup)

Choice 1: People, not government, can ensure fairness l OPPONENTS SAY l Racism and sexism are still here and strong l Businesses cannot be trusted to diversify on their own l Business cannot afford the training required

Should there be preference in hiring or promotion today where there has been discrimination in the past?

Affirmative Action Attitudes Vary by Race l Do you think that blacks get more attention from government than they deserve? (NORC, 1994)

Choice 2: Level the Playing Field: give everyone an equal chance l Proponents say: Help all the poor, not just some a Fair start is right, forcing outcomes is wrong Greatest needs are in health and education

Affirmative Action Attitudes Vary by Gender l Are you in favor of affirmative action programs designed to help women get better jobs and education? (LAT, 1995)

Choice 2: Level the Playing Field: give everyone an equal chance l OPPONENTS SAY: This doesn’t address discrimination This is a huge gamble We cannot afford it

Do you think that [Women]/[Blacks] have an equal chance now to succeed?

Choice 3: Finish what we started l Proponents Say: Affirmative action is working We have a long way to go Government must lead the way

The federal government should make special efforts to improve the social and economic position of minority groups to correct past discrimination (3/4-7, 1995)

NBC/WSJ (April 3-4, 1995) Proposal to end the use of affirmative action considerations such as race or gender

Choice 3: Finish what we started l Opponents Say: It is not fair to anyone It is tearing us apart No one likes it anyway

Americans Strongly oppose Quotas l Do you favor or oppose setting aside programs that guarantee a certain percentage of government contracts to minority owned firms? NBC (1995)