Michigan Justices approve State's ban of Affirmative Action

[Earl Dibbles Jr]

"The 6-2 decision came in a case brought by Michigan, where a voter-approved initiative banning affirmative action had been tied up in court for a decade."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/22/supreme-court-affirmative-action-michigan/4481923/

It's good to see state governments and citizens starting to realize how racist and sexist Affirmative Action policies are. What do you guys think about this? 8 states have already banned Affirmative Action and the way things are going it would appear many more are going to follow.

[Thorn777]

As much as I find affirmative action and the like nonsesical and counter productive, as much I otherwise despise Rick Snyder and his Michigan office. Specially on democratic terms. But I guess he's only democratic with his sub-urbs.

A sort of affirmative action if you will....

[King_Porus]

Something to consider:

Errr Afirmative Action is for minorities, women, people with disabilities, and veterans. It's not just for minorities or for "white man's guilt". While I heartily disagree with it being appropriate today (lots of Asians actually are not considered for admission and scholarships since we are in higher numbers based upon test scores).
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/hiring/...ct.htm#lawregs

The rather famous Bakke decision resulted in a white male getting into college due to underrepresentation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regents...ornia_v._Bakke

In all honesty, the "minorities" are not blanket minorities across the board for something like medical schools, which has no problem filling slots with diverse Asian-Americans (Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Filipino, etc) but has difficulty with African-American, Hispanic-Americans, and Native Americans being represented. If we went totally on MCAT scores and GPAs, it might be that 100% would be Asian-Americans based upon merit. I doubt that those who are White Euro-Americans would be happy with that.

If you're against Afirmative Action, you actually might be harming the chances of some soldiers returning back home and trying to find work, or even disabled veterans.

Affirmative action as you call it, isn't all black and white (), there are ups and downs. IMO it would be better to modify and modernise it than completely eliminate it.

[Earl Dibbles Jr]

Something to consider:



Affirmative action as you call it, isn't all black and white (), there are ups and downs. IMO it would be better to modify and modernise it than completely eliminate it.

Agreed. If the Democrats are willing to change it (which they currently aren't) I'd be fine with a more "modernized" version.

[Thorn777]

Good point.

And apart from that its kind of racist to put blacks on the same pedestal as people with down-syndrome etc.

[Himster]

While affirmative action has it's bad side and action certainly needs to be taken, a wholesale ban is going slightly far. I'm thinking specifically people with severe disabilities who have to rely on state-sponsored employment programs in order to have a chance of getting a job, or sit at home relying solely on state hand-outs. Affirmative action isn't bad in every single case you see, it needs revision, not elimination.

[Earl Dibbles Jr]

While affirmative action has it's bad side and action certainly needs to be taken, a wholesale ban is going slightly far. I'm thinking specifically people with severe disabilities who have to rely on state-sponsored employment programs in order to have a chance of getting a job, or sit at home relying solely on state hand-outs. Affirmative action isn't bad in every single case you see, it needs revision, not elimination.

I believe it should be based on your income and whether or not you have a disability. Those who grew up below the poverty line should have an "advantage" in getting into a school or getting a job. It should not be based on Race and sex, there are plenty of African Americans whom have an advantage over your average Joe and plenty of women as well.

[Phier]

Its been a long and frustrating fight, but its good to see that finally at least one state has learned that what is important is not the color of ones skin but the contest of their character.

[justicar5]

"The 6-2 decision came in a case brought by Michigan, where a voter-approved initiative banning affirmative action had been tied up in court for a decade."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/22/supreme-court-affirmative-action-michigan/4481923/

It's good to see state governments and citizens starting to realize how racist and sexist Affirmative Action policies are. What do you guys think about this? 8 states have already banned Affirmative Action and the way things are going it would appear many more are going to follow.

Basing alternative action on race or sex is counter productive, looking at something based on income (maybe subsidies to make the debt less terrifying) would have some merit.

Also help to improve disabled access to facilities.

[Hekko]

Well Michigan acting sensibly, nice to read about some positive developments.