The California Equality Initiative

Subject: Re: The California Equality Initiative

I have decided to quit reacting to the assault on affirmative action and to become proactive.  I have drafted the California Equality Initiative. I am only the initiating author and would like you to join me as one of the co-authors.  I am very confident we can build an enthusiastic grassroots movement around this idea.  Please feel free to forward my
email to colleagues, civil rights organizations, and other concerned Californians.

Thanks, Ron Takaki

Dear:

I have an idea that I would like to share with you.  The recent Houston vote to continue affirmative action (55 percent against 45 percent) and the Wall Street Journal poll on affirmative action (48 percent in favor and 43 percent opposed) indicate wide support for affirmative action when people understand the issue as such. Prop 209 did not present the choices clearly or honestly.  I think the people of California are entitled to an opportunity to vote on an explicitly pro-affirmative action initiative.  I have drafted an initiative for the ballot for the November election, year 2000.
 

 Proposed amendment to the California Constitution

In order to act affirmatively in promoting equality of opportunity, it shall be lawful for the state to consider race, gender, and class as one of the criteria in the selection of qualified individuals for university admissions, public employment, and public
contracting.

I think our proposition would quickly get support from the pro-affirmative action organizations like ACLU, NOW, MALDEF, Asian Law Caucus, labor unions, and political leaders like Mayor Willie Brown. They would be indispensable in providing the funding needed to get the 430,000 signatures to qualify the proposition for the ballot.  Hundreds of our UC colleagues would support this project, and thousands of students would be willing to help get signatures.

There are good reasons why we should pursue this proposition

1.  This proposition would stir minority voter registration and also minority voter participation.

2.  It would provoke a debate that would help to heighten and sharpen public understanding of structural discrimination and inequality.

How is the existing situation in reality not an even playing field? What is merit?  Who defines it?  Are the criteria for         defining and measuring merit fair?  Is the SAT really an indicator of merit?  Should AP courses be given extra points?  Do we really have equality of opportunity?  Or is opportunity something that is really determined by where one lives and works?  Is affirmative action misrepresented by claims that it is "preferential treatment," "quotas," and "reverse discrimination"?

3.  This proposition would re-connect the dialog on race to one of our nation's highest principles -- the principle of equality, to which, as Lincoln said, our country is "dedicated."

4.  This proposition, if it is on the ballot, would compel both candidates for the presidency to address the issue of affirmative action.

 5.  If we succeed in getting it on the ballot, I think we would have a good chance of winning. I hope you will give this idea your serious consideration and also join me.  The time has come for us to quit reacting to attacks on affirmative action and to be pro-active. I look forward to your thoughts and response.

Yours truly,

Ron Takaki

Return to the Proposition 209 Page
Return to the Affirmative Action and Diversity Page

Carl Gutierrez-Jones
Department of English
University of California, Santa Barbara
e-mail: carlgj@humanitas.ucsb.edu