Even Obama agrees

Background: Even Obama is insulted by what affirmative action has become.

In 2006, Michigan voters passed a civil rights initiative that prohibited public institutions from granting preferential treatment based on race, color, and gender. One of the reasons for banning this practice was the stigma associated with it. Successful blacks and women faced the perception that their accomplishments were given not earned.

During his first major speech on race as a presidential candidate, Barack Obama clearly revealed the stigma is real when he expressed his concern over the perception "that my candidacy is somehow an exercise in affirmative action."

Fifty-eight percent of Michigan voters did the right thing when they approved Proposal 2. So did U.S. District Judge David Lawson when he ruled the proposal constitutional.

[Letter to the Editor - The Detroit News. Published 03/20/2008.]