A Law Student's Attempt to Understand It All.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Amendment 46

If you are a Colorado voter, you have recently or will soon receive the so-called “Bluebook” (because the booklet cover is traditionally blue).” In theory, the Bluebook is supposed to be neutral. In practice, one side or the other typically writes the arguments for both sides. Thus, the Bluebook becomes propaganda.

So, your humble correspondent will tell you the effects of the various ballot issues.

First up, Amendment 46: The Colorado Civil Rights Initiative.

The Colorado Civil Rights Initiative (CoCRI) is a proposed constitutional amendment that states: The state shall not discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to any group or individual on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public contracting, or public education.

This is a good measure. It effectively ends affirmative action-- really preferential treatment-- on the basis of race, sex, etc. When government favored one race or set of races in the south, it was called Jim Crow. Now that it favors the races that “liberals” like, then it’s affirmative action.

Further, can we in modern America say what a “race” is? Take me as an example of the general trend in our melting pot: On my mom’s side, the family lineage traces to English, French, and a whole host of other national origins. On my dad’s side, the family lineage traces mostly from Spain (NOT Mexico), but with a lot of French, Irish, and American Indian. So, what the hell am I? I would say, "I’m an American from Colorado."

The effects of affirmative action in education and other institutions are to further race tensions. As I sit in class of a top tier law school, I wonder if my classmates think I belong there or I got there because of preferential treatment. Prospective employers first ask me about “diversity” rather than my legal abilities. Rather than making people color blind, they are more focused on my heritage than ever before.

Affirmative action is racism. It needs to end now if we will ever see the dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. come true.

Vote YES on Amendment 46.