Affirmative action requires more than bonus points

I commend The State News for advocating a civil discussion on the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative scheduled to be on next fall's ballot. However, I would like to clarify your statement that “affirmative action has always been controversial, with many advocates on both sides” and the implication that the MCRI opposes affirmative action.

The goals of affirmative action are not controversial. Reasonable people recognize that improving the opportunities for underrepresented minorities and the economically underprivileged are noble pursuits. The controversy stems from the means to reach these ends.

Affirmative action implies making “positive efforts” to achieve the goals outlined above. Tacking on bonus points for race to an admissions application is neither positive nor does it require much effort. As long as race is used as a factor, animosity will exist because a deserving member of a non-protected class of citizens will be passed over. The controversy will never be eliminated and the perpetual battle will continue.

But there is a solution to this problem. Rather than arbitrarily giving extra credit for race or economic status, universities seeking a diverse student body need to take positive action. Universities should be working closely with the inner city schools that fail to prepare students for higher education. Mentoring disadvantaged students and building their academic credentials will help them succeed far better than adding points to their admission score.

In fact, MSU can do better than simply working with other schools. Michigan allows state public universities to authorize and operate public charter schools. Open some charter schools in Detroit, Flint, and other poorly performing areas. Make a positive change in the lives of some students and help them succeed based on the quality of their character rather than their skin color.

[Letter to the Editor - The State News - Published 12/09/2005]