On Tuesday, November 7, voters in Michigan went to the polls and voted to approve Proposal 2, which calls for the state of Michigan to dismantle affirmative action in education, employment and other state level programs.  Leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) were quick to denounce the voters’ decision.

"It goes without saying that we are disappointed," said NAACP President & CEO Bruce S. Gordon. "This is a setback.  It is clear that we have work to do to convince our fellow citizens that affirmative action has made us stronger as a nation and still has a role to play."

Proposal 2 bans public institutions, including state and local governments, public colleges and universities from considering race, gender and ethnicity or national origin for public employment, education or contracting purposes.

The Michigan measure and other anti-affirmative action measures have been organized primarily by a group known as the American Civil Rights Initiative.

Leaders of the NAACP, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization, vowed to challenge the American Civil Rights Initiative and its supporters wherever they launch campaigns.

The NAACP firmly supports the use of affirmative action policies and practices by states to ensure equal opportunity access for minorities and women. "It is critical that all citizens understand the role affirmative action plays in the creation of a diverse education and business work force," Gordon adds.

In Michigan, implementation of Proposal 2 will also mean the loss of funding for financial aid scholarships that consider race, gender, national origin, ethnicity or color. Many colleges and universities use such funds to attract a diverse student body and underrepresented students.

In a release issued by the NAACP, the Association noted that , the elimination of affirmative action programs in California, Washington and Texas has dramatically and adversely affected minority enrollment.

The Association pointed to the fact that the entering class of 2000 at UCLA's Law School was only 1.4 percent black, compared to 10.3 percent prior to the state's 1996 ban on affirmative action. The number of women faculty has decreased 22 percent throughout the University of California system since the take-away of affirmative action.

Similarly, Latino student enrollment at the University of Texas Law School has been reduced by half since Texas legislators outlawed affirmative action programs in 1995.

The NAACP release also referenced an article in The Seattle Times that found that four years after Washington State passed I-200 initiative, the share of Seattle’s public works contracts awarded to minority- or women-owned firms decreased by more than 25 percent.

The dismantling of affirmative action programs increases the difficulties minorities and women will encounter as they strive for full and equal access to the institutions and business opportunities that continue to benefit Americans of privileged status.

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