Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!wivax!linus!allegra!eagle!mhuxt!mhuxi!mhuxa!houxm!houxk!houxj!welsch From: welsch@houxj.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: RE: A Flame at Affirmative Action Message-ID: <260@houxj.UUCP> Date: Fri, 3-Jun-83 15:04:43 EDT Article-I.D.: houxj.260 Posted: Fri Jun 3 15:04:43 1983 Date-Received: Thu, 9-Jun-83 01:24:10 EDT Lines: 33 I take exception to the statement: My objection to AAP is simple: AAP calls for racial discrimination, and racial discrimination is wrong. because AAP does not call for racial discrimination, but rather that positive action be taken to end racial discimination. This is hardly unconstitutional or wrong. A number of people raise the point that affirmative action may result in "quotas." This is true. So what? Given the assumption that intelligence does not recognize race then it is reasonable to expect that within a given job category the races would have roughly (within 2 standard deviations) the same proportions as in the population. This is not the case. One way of correcting this problem is to have quotas. I DON'T CONSIDER THIS USE OF QUOTAS DISCRIMINATION. The quota is not to restrict entry, but rather to ensure entry. I also take exception to the statement: An action which would be labeled as discrimination were it to victimize someone with dark skin is labeled as AAP when it victimizes someone with light skin. Taking positive action to insure that minorities have equal opportunity does not victimize anybody. This is all affirmative action is about. What is unfortunate is that even when affirmative action is taken for a number of years, many minorities still do not have an equal opportunity. Larry Welsch houxj!welsch