society by being passive recipients of government largesse. Political solutions are often long on immediate symbolism and short on lasting results. I have seen the struggle of the minority first hand in this country, and speaking as an observer the hardest thing to do is to trust our government with aid of any sort.In conclusion, the national argument over affirmative action needs both more candor and less. It needs more candor as to what in practicality we are talking about, that is, what is actually occurring in our schools and workplaces and government. It needs less candor, or at least fewer attempts at explicit definition, in the area of regulation and law. Probably the term itself is in need of replacement, as well. As with so many other catchwords in our public dialogue, affirmative action has reached the point where it invariably generates an intensity of feeling, both for it and against, far in excess of any commonly accepted understanding of what the phrase means. Roughly three decades of interpretation, by no means internally consistent, has left the landscape strewn with policy and personnel decisions taken in the name of affirmative action that can be used any way you want to prove a point. Dilorenzo 11One point that is consistent throughout is unjustified preference. This can hurt the chances of any student or employee no matter what color. People should be judged on what they bring to the table not what color they are or aren’t. I believe in working hard to achieve a goal. In life, we are faced with many opportunities and we should be allowed to reach out and grab hold of whatever opportunity we chose. Without the interference of any one or organization. An example of this in President Clinton’s exchange with Abigail Thernstrom, a critic of affirmative action. “MRS. THERNSTROM: Americans believe in ...
