THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508300182
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
SOURCE: BY JOHN L. HORTON
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
As almost everyone knows, affirmative action is being highlighted in the media and throughout the nation. Much political and social debate is being generated by affirmative action issues and resolutions. As a soon-to-be 55 years old African-American male, I am deeply troubled by those who want to end and not mend the policy of affirmative action.
Affirmative action was originally initiated in 1965 by then President Lyndon Baines Johnson as a means to level the playing field and give an (equal) opportunity to those minorities, primarily blacks, latinos and women, so they could gain access to the economic marketplace and political arena. In 1965, as today, there was and is a glass ceiling and invisible barrier which prevents many qualified affirmative action participants from fully enjoing the fruits of their labors and skills.
Affirmative action was never meant to favor blacks and others over whites or anyone else. Affirmative action was meant to be inclusive and to take full advantage of all America's people.
For example, I grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn., in the 1940s and 1950s when blacks were not allowed to become policemen, firemen, lawyers, doctors, contractors, teachers, journalists and entrepreneus for the public at large, regardless of their skills and qualifications. Even today, some of these realities are still self-evident. Take a good look at most communities and cities today, particularly large urban centers and inner cities, and you will find that, notwithstanding affirmative action programs and the like, not much has changed for many of America's minorities.
I do not believe that affirmative action has resulted in blacks and others being given unfair and unjust advantage over white males or anyone else. Affirmative action has allowed blacks and previously excluded others to be given an equal opportunity to gain access to the employment, entrepreneurial, educational and political arenas.
In short, affirmative action has been a means of facilitation for certain previously disadvantaged groups of people to get a ``fair'' and ``legal'' opportunity to be included in the overall fiber of American life. In effect, affirmative action has somewhat enabled all Americans to utilize their skills, talents, expertise and knowledge to go as far as they can and be as successul as they can in the overall American society.
The mere reality of today's America proves that affirmative action has not resulted in reverse discrimination and undue hardship on white males - most of all, white males. Has anyone checked out who truly runs this great nation: corporate America, economic wealth, political power, income levels, social status, education, achievement and the like?
Affirmative action is being used as a scapegoat by some. The angry white male is among these factions. Some of these angry white males and others are losing their standard of living and they, wrongly, blame affirmative action and other similar policies. These angry white males should understand that their decreasing earning power is due in large part to the world marketplace and changing technology of the forthcoming 21st century.
As a result of these phenomena, corporate earnings are up, wages are down, jobs are being exported to foreign (cheaper) markets, thereby causing economic pain and a feeling of inward alienation. In many cases, for the very first time, the angry white male population is hurting along with the rest of American society.
The nation needs to admit, honestly and openly, that certain groups of people have not fairly shared in the American pie/dream. For example, one might ask, ``If affirmative action has done so much, unfairly and unjustly, what about `equal pay for equal work' for black men and women in general, who earn approximately 70 percent of what white men do for the same work with the same qualifications?''
While some, including the leadership of the Republican Party, have demonized, stereotyped and scapegoated affirmative action, they have yet to come up with a positive and meaningful alternative which would include America's ``melting pot'' of people. To remain the world's leader and continue to be economically competitive, we must include all Americans with their diverse talents and skills. In short, we need a positive, beneficial and inclusive remedy for our affirmative action dilemma. We must not use affirmative action as a means to further divide and enrage Americans along racial and economic lines.
In closing, I strongly agree that the current affirmative action policy is not all-perfect and all-knowing. It has some significant imperfections which need to be mended. Among other things, loopholes need to be closed so that only those who truly need affirmative action would benefit from it. Simply put, not all minorities should benefit from affirmative action because of their race or gender. These kinds of important issues can be ameliorated - and should be. However, you don't throw out the baby with the bath water. I fully agree with President Clinton, ``Affirmative action should be amended - not ended.'' MEMO: John L. Horton, a Norfolk resident, lives on Camellia Road.
by CNB