Prop 107 re-ignites racial debate
Ryan McCullough
Proposition 107, often called the “Arizona Civil Rights Initiative,” has sparked new controversy in a state still feeling the effects of SB 1070.”Prop 107 would amend the Arizona State Constitution to prohibit the government.from either giving preferential treatment to or discriminating against any person or group based on their ethnicity, their gender, or national origin,” said Leon Drolet, a member of the “Yes on Prop 107” campaign.
The proposition deals with public contracting, public education, and public employment.
“The government would no longer be able to use racial quotas or diversity goals when it comes to those areas,” Drolet said.
Lea Marquez-Peterson, President of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is opposed to the proposition.
“It’s an initiative that began a couple years ago through Ward Connerly, who, in a nutshell, thinks we’re on an even playing field now and that there’s no need to have special programs for minorities and women,” Marquez-Peterson said.
Similar propositions have passed in four other states: California, Washington, Michigan, and Nebraska. California was the first to pass the proposition in 1996.
“That is too bad it’s passed in other states. They’ve seen a reduction in education, the number of Hispanics and Native Americans applying for undergraduate and graduate degrees has gone down,” Marquez-Peterson said.
Drolet stated that while minority applications to universities have gone down in states that passed the initiative, graduation rates among minorities have raised.
“I think what people need to realize is that the wording of this proposition is very misleading.People do business with people that are like them, most often.
“So, having special programs for procurement contracts or educational programs are important to make sure we all have an equal chance,” Marquez-Peterson said.
John Rosenberg, a board member for the American Civil Rights Institute, thinks such programs hinder equality.
“The cure for discrimination is not discrimination,” Rosenberg said.
