Opponents of affirmative action argue for "race-neutral" school admissions. There is no such thing. University officials have long used all kinds of special preferences in admitting students. Students whose parents have special connections, or whose relatives have attended the college, are given the inside track. The same is true for those who went to high schools offering advanced-placement classes. Far from being "race-neutral," such formal and informal selection schemes, operating day-in and day-out, perpetuate the racist status quo. That is one reason affirmative action is needed.

Despite what President George Bush argues in his brief supporting the challenge to the University of Michigan policies, segregation is not a thing of the past. A recent study by Harvard University’s Civil Rights Project shows that despite gains won through civil rights battles, Black and Latino students face more school segregation today than they did in 1970. They are subjected to second-class educational facilities such as greater school overcrowding and lack of textbooks and other resources.

Racist discrimination is institutionalized in every aspect of capitalist society, which constantly reproduces and reinforces inequalities. In the economy, for example, it’s not affirmative action that "divides," as its opponents assert; it’s the capitalists. They are the ones who benefit from maintaining Blacks and other oppressed nationalities, as well as women, in second-class status. Bosses profit from paying them less and keeping workers pitted against each other. The employers and their representatives will never take the necessary measures out of the kindness of their hearts. They must be forced to do so. That’s why affirmative action means quotas--without quotas such programs are toothless.

Affirmative action is under attack both by its avowed enemies as well as by capitalist politicians seeking to gut such programs with the argument, "mend it, don’t end it." "Mend" is a code word for opposing quotas.

At a time of economic crisis such as today, when working people face growing layoffs, increased housing costs, and cutbacks in education--affirmative action takes on added importance. Women and Black are often the last hired and the first fired. That is why when bosses carry out layoffs, the labor movement must demand dual seniority lists to prevent affirmative action gains from being eroded.

Like other social gains, affirmative action was not a gift from "progressive" politicians--it was fought for and won, through the mass struggles led by Blacks in the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. And over the past two decades, workers, farmers, and youth have continued to resist attempts to undermine it. No matter how much they hate it, the employers and their government can’t simply take away affirmative action without a fight.

Today they continue to chip away at and weaken such programs. But the issue can only be settled in struggle. Bush’s careful effort to appear "balanced" shows the limits of what the U.S. rulers feel confident to take back.

The need to defend and expand affirmative action goes hand in hand with other struggles that the labor movement must champion to unite working people in a fight for our common interests. This includes a campaign to raise the minimum wage, to oppose the assault on the rights of immigrant workers, and to fight to win jobs for all.
 
 
Related articles:
White House backs legal attack on affirmative action
Women’s fight for affirmative action and the union movement  
 
 
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