When you have a weak argument. . .

Opponents to the MCRI frequently resort to ad hominem attacks on the initiative’s supporters. Hoping to distract people from evaluating the issue, they focus on the irrelevant. They recite “fun facts” (although they usually play loose with the facts). They call supporters names like “crybaby” and “racist.” They like to distract people from the issue and stir up emotions.

Whether Zarko is affiliated with MCRI or Connerly is from California or Gratz wasn’t wait listed is not important to the issue. The issue is simple.

Does the government have the right to treat people differently based on their race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin?

Supporters of the MCRI say “NO”.

Affirmative action was never supposed to be about quotas or preferential treatment but that is what it has become. 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, Michigan Tech 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.


Full disclosure: I do not work for MCRI. I do not receive funding from out-of-state billionaires (nor in-state for that matter). I was admitted and attended U-M Dearborn for one year (but I moved on to Michigan State – Go Spartans).

[Online comment at Michigan Tech Lode. Posted 04/20/2006]