Asians Alerted to Affirmative Action Ballot Issue
The Grand Rapids Press
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1154097962279190.xml&coll=6
By Ted Roelofs, The Grand Rapids Press
July 28, 2006
In the debate over affirmative action, the argument is often framed around the rights of two groups: blacks and whites.
But Asian residents also have a stake in the proposed ban on affirmative action in Michigan, in the view of Wayne State University Law School Dean Frank Wu.
"The civil rights movement has produced tremendous benefits helping Asian Americans fight against bias," said Wu, who spoke Thursday night at Grand Valley State University.
"We all benefit from inclusion. Every study that looked at this has concluded that men and women, all of us, benefit from having this range of voices."
Wu spoke at the invitation of a pair of West Michigan Asian organizations, the Asian Professionals Organization and the Asian Center. Wu, who has been a guest on programs ranging from the Lehrer News Hour to the Oprah Winfrey Show, is the author of "Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White."
Susan Im, a Grand Rapids immigration attorney and member of the Asian Professionals Organization, sees the November ballot proposal to ban affirmative action as a threat.
"I find it to be extremely deceptive. The effects of it would be destructive, not only for the Asian community but for the entire community.
"In this global world, this global work place, we need to prepare ourselves and our society for dealing with people of all different races and backgrounds. Promoting diversity is one of the ways to prepare us."
Im said Asian professionals -- often reluctant to speak out on controversial issues -- are being galvanized.
"I can tell you that the awareness is beginning," she said.
The daughter of Korean parents recalled growing up in Traverse City, where she was one of a few Asian students. She believes affirmative action in college admission policies is a tool to promote the diversity that city lacked then.
"For some, going to a university and getting on a campus may be their first opportunity to come into contact with a person of color. They may think, 'Wow, this person is not a lot different than me.'"
Im is also was named in 2005 by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to the Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs, a body that opposes the affirmative action ban.
Though one stereotype assumes Asians have climbed their way to academic and economic success in America, Im said the barriers remain. She noted that Asians occupy 7.3 percent of the professional work force, but only 2.8 percent of management positions.
The ballot measure is championed by Ward Connerly, chairman of the Sacramento, Calif.-based American Civil Rights Coalition. If passed, it would ban race or gender as a factor in university admissions and state hiring or contracting.
Send e-mail to the author: troelofs@grpress.com
Copyright © 2006 Grand Rapids Press
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