Can't we at least be informed and honest?

Lucas Wilsdon’s column “Professors speak to raise Proposal 2 awareness” requires some corrections. First, elections will be held on November 7, not November 11. Second, One United Michigan is not “designed to raise awareness of the MCRI and its potential affects.” Its singular purpose is to defeat Proposal 2. That’s the same as claiming the Democratic Party is designed to raise awareness of Dick DeVos and his potential affects as governor. Finally, Proposal 2 earned a spot on the ballot after acquiring over 500,000 signatures and winning several legal challenges from groups seeking to deny citizens their right to vote on the issue.

In addition to the author’s errors, Dr. Ronald Woods of African-American Studies makes an extreme claim. He says Proposal 2 supporters are motivated by hate rather than a desire for equal treatment without regard to race, color or gender. No doubt, some opponents of affirmative action are driven by racism. Likewise, some proponents of affirmative action are driven by their hatred of men or their desire to get back at whites. Both groups are on the fringe and claiming these are “core” reasons is inflammatory and dishonest.

Meanwhile, Assistant Professor Jessica Alexander's concern that Proposal 2 will endanger health and welfare programs for women stems from ignorance or a deliberate scare tactic. Proposal 2 is specifically limited to “public employment, public education, and public contracting.” Ten years ago, California passed its version of Proposal 2. Today, breast cancer screenings and domestic violence shelters still exist. To find screening centers, visit http://www.dhs.ca.gov/cancerdetection/. For shelters, visit http://www.aardvarc.org/dv/states/ca.shtml.

If we’re going to have a debate about affirmative action, couldn’t we at least be fully informed and honest?

[Letter to the Editor - Eastern Echo. Not yet submitted.]