| I'm giving control of this week's column to someone who I greatly admire and appreciate as a scholar and critical thinker as it pertains to issues of great importance to our community. Cedric Lawson is a student at UW, and has written a phenomenal piece on the issue of Affirmative Action; I hope you enjoy it and heed his insightful monologue. -- Tracie Gilbert Last weekend, my aunt asked a really good question: "What is Wisconsin coming to?" She asked this as she saw a flyer warning Wisconsin citizens about the possible removal of Affirmative Action from state policies. She shares the sentiment of my African Americans in Wisconsin -- In July 2005, an online journal, The Black Commentator, named Wisconsin the worst state the nation for blacks. / Looking at just a few statistics, there is a dire need to curb the downward curve that is Black life in Wisconsin. We, as a state, have some problems. Wisconsin is the state that incarcerates more of its black population than any other in the union. Dane county, in particular, has the worst incarceration rate for African Americans in the state. While we are the state with one of the highest high school graduation rates for white students, we have the lowest graduation for black students at 41 percent. Could it be that many of our black males are incarcerated before reaching the age of 18 and losing faith in an unfair system? These issues are not ours to deal with alone. Many White Wisconsinites would like to have us, as Black Wisconsinites, believe that the problems that face African Americans are ours to deal with alone. However, UW Sociology professor Pam Oliver proves otherwise. When conducting an experiment on race, hiring, education, and criminal records -- Dr. Oliver found a very disturbing trend. In the Milwaukee area, a White candidate with a felony listed was more likely to receive the same position than a Black candidate, both of who share the same credentials. We, as Black citizens, are not surprised by these findings. They prove is that racism is still a potent force in society. And today, considering the laws that do assist African Americans have been passed to help us further integrate into American economics and education. Nonetheless, if there is a lack of accountability now, what will happen if Affirmative Action is abolished? State contracts, that give opportunities to state business, also operate under Affirmative Action. Already, less than five percent of state contracts are used by minority businesses. And the prospect of minority owned businesses are never shared enough with the public. How can anyone know of opportunities when they are rarely shared? Next week a special committee on Affirmative Action will convene in the state Capitol. About half of the nineteen committee members are appointed and only half of them are elected. This lack of accountability to the state leads to valid questions. Who are the non-elected members of the special committee? What is their interest in being a part of this committee? Why is the chair, Senator Glenn Grothman, from a district with less than 5% citizens of color? Affirmative Action gets at the heart of racism and what it has done to citizens of color in the United States. It works to effectively shift the power dynamic less from whites and to forge a more equal playing field. But Fredrick Douglass said that, "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will." The Civil Rights Movement has been an uphill battle and the battle continues for full equality under the law and in our daily lives. However, not all White Americans strive for equality like we do. It's no wonder why Affirmative Action is such a wedge issues and usually divided along lines of race. This committee is no better than introduction of the marriage amendment or the death penalty advisory. If there was one thing the past legislature knew how to do, it was divide voters on emotionally charged, identity based issues. And now, there is yet another battle to face. On December 19, Ward Connerly, an anti-Affirmative Action activist from California has been invited to Wisconsin. It will be no surprise that this state-hopping former University of California Regent will talk of how Wisconsin needs to abolish race-conscious policies. Ward Connerly does not know Wisconsin like we do, however. What we are aware of is the daily discrimination that black citizens face in this state. What we understand now is the research that has inevitably proven that discriminatory hiring practices still exist in our state. What we know of is that we are capable and competent citizens; however, there are people who do not judge us on our merit, but still choose to turn us away based on the color of our skin and what it means to them. What we know is that Wisconsin is a state that treats its Black citizens unfair in systems of law, education, business, and employment. Affirmative Action must stay, for if it does not -- then my aunt is right: "What is Wisconsin coming to?" Please support Wisconsin taking affirmative action against racism and discrimination. Please rally December 19 at the State Capitol. Please let Ward Connerly know that we do not support ignorance, but Affirmative Action. |
| Random Order's Guest Column Wisconsin and Affirmative Action by Cedric Lawson |
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