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Letters to the EditorsRacial preference is incompatible with equal rights© St. Petersburg Times published April 10, 2003 Re: The progress defense, editoral, April 5. The Supreme Court review of the challenge to the University of Michigan's admission policy that is defended as "affirmative action" makes me wonder: When did we start using the late President John F. Kennedy's mandate to take "affirmative action" to not deny anyone jobs because of race to mean it's okay to use race as a factor in accepting or denying admission to school as long as it's for the purpose of achieving diversity? This editorial is another example of how we have treated Kennedy's words as an anagram and rearranged the letters to spell "racial preference." In a land that prides itself on equal rights for all, the mere use of "racial preference" is a blatant contradiction of that fundamental belief. The editors claim that embracing racial diversity is a sign of social progress in our workplace and on our job sites. That's ridiculous. Racial diversity is racial preference dressed in different clothes. Stripped naked, it is racial discrimination. How, in heaven's name, can we progress socially if we continue to discriminate racially? The fact that "so many universities and businesses in America are willing to embrace racial diversity," concluded the editors, "may also suggest that affirmative action is bearing fruit." True, but unfortunately, discriminating and calling it "affirmative action" would bear fruit that tasted sour. Making a "positive effort," the true meaning of Kennedy's words, to eliminate race as a factor in hiring workers or admitting students could bear the fruit of genuine racial equality at work or in school. How sweet that fruit would taste.
End affirmative action's racism Special favors based on skin color are odious, immoral and clearly illegal by any fair reading of the Constitution. Now you can cloud the issue, disguise it, or look at it through rose-colored glasses. You can tell me sob stories about your ancestors and I'll tell you sob stories about mine. Are poor white children to be shunted aside for the kids of Johnny Cochran, P. Diddy, Quincy Jones, Jesse Jackson, Michael Jordan or the numerous other black multimillionaires in America? What about the new immigrants to our country from Bosnia, Kosovo, Mexico, Vietnam, India and Pakistan? Do they also have to line up behind black Americans for college admissions? It is time to end racism now, starting with affirmative action.
Creating a stigma Most liberal editors and legislators seem convinced that the Supreme Court should keep failed affirmative action programs in place. Reverse discrimination might have been a practicable tool in the 1960s, but it no longer deserves consideration in the 21st century. Affirmative action only stigmatizes those whom it nobly intended to aid. When a quota system is used to achieve racial diversity, and everyone knows about it, then those who gain entry into any program via a quota are instantly labeled as unqualified by their supposed peers and are immediately subject to low expectations from instructors. Quota students are not likely to be dropped from the program because it will "make the numbers look bad." So, the entire program is ultimately lowered to their level and all students suffer the consequences of low expectations. Heaven forbid a fully qualified minority student apply and be accepted. He would receive the "quota" label regardless of his credentials and also suffer lower expectations and condescension from peers and instructors. Affirmative action's defenders claim many of America's popular, high-level military leaders support it. I think the truth is they support diversity in our military (as do I) -- which they in fact achieved without racial quotas. If we are to achieve a true colorblind society, then there is no room for any quotas for any purpose.
There's value in diversity As a nurse, I recognize the value of supporting diversity in nursing education. The Supreme Court is considering the legality of the use of race by the University of Michigan Law School as a means of correcting under-representation of minorities in enrollment. Race-conscious decisionmaking is important in order to accomplish a health care workforce that reflects the diversity of the nation.
Diversity of opinion The April 1 op-ed page represented a model for what an op-ed page should be. On the day that the Supreme Court was to hear arguments on the constitutionality of diversity as a criterion for selection of students at state universities, you presented two views on the issue: In one column, Harvard scholars made the arguments in favor of diversity, and in the adjacent column a distinguished scholar offered a challenge to the academic and social premises on which the arguments for diversity are based. Kudos to the Times.
Pushing vouchers is outrageous Re: Just imagine vouchers, growing wild like kudzu, April 4. Howard Troxler's column regarding school vouchers is an absolute masterpiece. Why the public is not outraged at our Legislature is beyond me! The voters demanded smaller classes. The Legislature now wants to do that by taking more money from our already weakly supported public schools (of the 50 states, we are close to rock bottom) and handing out vouchers for people to send their kids to private school. What's wrong with that? Lots! Having taught for more than 30 years, I have seen students come and go from private to public school. I have yet to find any private school in Pinellas County that consistently sends top students into the public school. Public schools generally have the better teachers. Private schools pay less for their instructors than public schools. Teachers are like everyone else; they go where they can earn the most money. Teachers not approved by the Pinellas County School system often end up teaching in private schools. Private schools have their own agenda. The curriculum may not be up to par. Who is to say the child is being educated adequately when the only accountability the Legislature demands is a yearly audit. If vouchers go to private schools, those private schools ought to give the FCAT. Let's have a level playing field. Discipline is, believe it or not, often worse in a private school. Why? The private school does not want to lose its customer base, and often the poor private school teacher gets little support from an administration that wants to keep the money coming in. I am close to retirement. I am so glad. While I will miss my students and the enjoyment of teaching, I will no longer have to be a pawn of this insane government we have in Tallahassee.
A star in the depths Re: Away from war, well, Rome is burning, by Howard Troxler, April 9. Thanks so much to Howard Troxler for another profound, eye-opening and passionate article. He is a shining star in the depths of a big black hole that both Bush administrations have buried us in. I just hope his light can wake up enough sane, thinking individuals before the next election and before more irreparable damage can be done to our youth and our environment. He got my blood boiling.
Budget approach not businesslike Re: Lawmakers debate best way to steer state budget, April 3. Talking about the state budget, state Sen. Tom Lee said, "We would never, ever run our business this way." No successful business would ever run their business this way. I have devoted 38 years to transportation issues and funding. It is immensely discouraging that Florida's political leaders think that it is possible to meet the needs of staggering population and tourism growth on a tax base that cannot possibly pay for growth. What is so difficult about telling Floridians the true financial shortfalls that must be addressed?
A head-in-the-sand approach? Re: Higher tolls proposed to help patch state budget gap, March 28. Floridians, rejoice! You have been saved. In an attempt to increase badly needed revenue, Florida Senate committees approved legislation to eliminate the sales tax exemption on ostrich feed. How could this have happened? Did the ostrich feed lobby fall asleep? Won't this proposal decimate the great Florida ostrich industry? Won't ostrich farmers declare bankruptcy if they must pay tax on feed? Note to the Legislature: How about doing away with all the sales tax exemptions and dramatically increase the sales tax revenue? Stand up to the special interest groups and show some leadership. I won't hold my breath waiting. Is it no wonder lawmakers are held in such low esteem?
Cigarettes should be first to go Re: Struggle to keep trucking, April 5. In Saturday's business section was the picture of Tom Mathews, who was in need of a job. I always find it interesting that no matter how much in need people are or how destitute they might be, some of them can always find the money for cigarettes. I would think that this would be the first habit that they would quit in order to have money for food and the necessities of life for themselves and their families.
An inspiring docent Re: From the small screen to the big picture, "Mixed Reviews," by Eric Deggans, March 31. Headlines have loomed heavy of late leaving me longing for the halcyon days of budget surpluses, soaring stock markets and limitless employment opportunities. Relieved from the constraints of ennui brought on by that temporary calm, I delighted in reading Eric Deggans' review. My interest is of a somewhat personal nature. I was mentored by Greta Myers, Mr. Deggans' docent, when I found it my good fortune to be included in the 1998-99 Museum of Fine Arts docent class. Mrs. Myers is of that rare breed of women capable of using the words "'tis" and "noble" without even the hint of haughtiness. She is always impeccably dressed (dolled up, as my mother would have stated), perfectly coiffed, smart, well-spoken, passionate and, if that is not sufficient, consumed with making every second of her waking life a dedication to civic involvement. Greta Myers is an inspiration. A dynamic cross between a grande dame and a great dame.
On the same channel Re: Must-see TV is a misnomer, "Mixed Reviews," by John Fleming, April 4. Congrats! Excellent review of TV shows. Finally someone agrees with me. Please let him be the guest television critic more often.
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