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Education leaders: Commitment to diversity remains strong

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By MELISSA LEE / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008 - 07:23:54 pm CST

Now come the tough questions.

After a ban on race- and gender-based affirmative action sailed to approval Tuesday, what’s the fate of a nationally recognized University of Nebraska Medical Center program that encourages black students to pursue careers in medicine?

What about Women in Technology Day at Southeast Community College?

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Or Native American College Day at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, an effort to boost the campus’ tiny Native population?

All those and more, higher education leaders said Wednesday, face tweaking — or even elimination — in the wake of the passage of Initiative 424, a constitutional ban on racial and gender preferences in public admissions and hiring decisions.

The initiative, which passed with a 58 percent majority, has prompted public schools across the state to begin re-evaluating programs and scholarships aimed at giving a leg up to historically underrepresented groups.

Such programs, if aimed exclusively at people of a specific race or gender, likely won’t be legal under Initiative 424.

It’s not yet certain the initiative will become law — a lawsuit challenging its presence on the ballot still is alive in Lancaster County District Court — but as education leaders wait for a ruling, they’re moving forward with their assessments.

And they want to make one thing clear: While they’ll comply with the law, their commitment to diversity remains strong.

“We’ll have to review all of the policies and practices we have and determine which ones are still acceptable,” said UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman. “The effort to diversify the campus will continue.”

UNMC has assembled a diversity task force to evaluate current programs and scholarships and make recommendations on how the campus can continue to pursue diversity.

The head of that committee, Rubens Pamies, vice chancellor for academic affairs, called Tuesday’s vote “unfortunate” and said that because of it, he expects a drop next year in minority enrollment at UNMC.

“This may have an unintended effect on Nebraska’s image, that we’re too conservative, too noninclusive,” Pamies said. “It gives us a setback in terms of the positive image that we’ve developed.”

For instance, UNMC’s innovative Virginia-Nebraska Alliance, through which students from historically black colleges in Virginia are invited to Omaha for academic and research opportunities that may encourage them to apply to medical school, has earned national acclaim, Pamies said.

But its future now is uncertain.

That’s unfortunate, Pamies said, given that blacks make up less than 5 percent of the country’s practicing physicians and less than 3 percent of medical school faculty.

“Those are dismal numbers. ... We’re talking about a major need here,” he said.

SCC has no publicly funded scholarships for which race or gender are a factor, and race and gender don’t play into the college’s application process, said Jose Soto, vice president for affirmative action, equity and diversity.

But the college does host some targeted recruitment events, like Women in Technology Day, where women are introduced to welding, automotive and other traditionally male-dominated programs.

Events like that may need altering, Soto said.

Soto’s very job title, in fact, may need to be tweaked.

“We may have to limit some activities that have been very effective in exposing these underrepresented groups to these opportunities,” he said. “This really does send out a message that maybe diversity is not appreciated within our state. And I don’t know how people of color and women will react to that. ...

“That’s what we’re risking here.”

Initiative 424 supporters say programs and scholarships that give preferential treatment based on race and gender are wrong.

And the measure’s wide margin of victory shows voters of all backgrounds want preferences to end, they say.

“This is a fundamentally American issue,” Doug Tietz, executive director of the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative, which sponsored the affirmative-action ban, said Tuesday.

Ward Connerly, head of the California-based American Civil Rights Institute, noted colleges still can — and should — conduct affirmative action based on factors like income or geography to combat educational disparities.

Connerly’s group already has spearheaded affirmative-action bans in California, Michigan and Washington. He targeted five more states this year, and was successful in getting the issue on the ballot in Nebraska and Colorado.

Late Wednesday, Colorado’s measure was still too close to call, with Connerly’s opponents holding a slim lead.

Not so in Nebraska.

“I was disappointed, but I am hopeful that there will still be ways for us to effectively promote diversity on our campuses,” NU President J.B. Milliken said. “The demographics of Nebraska are changing rapidly, and we need to find ways to extend educational opportunity to all Nebraskans. Also, we want to prepare all of our students as well as we can for a diverse and global economy.”

Pamies deemed Nebraskans “fair-minded and determined” and said the state “will do what we need to do.”

Still, he can’t hide his disappointment.

“It’s so easy to check off no or yes on a ballot,” he said. “But the full impact of this will be felt for years to come.”

Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.


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So let me get this straight.... wrote on November 5, 2008 1:08 pm:
" These people are saying that now diversity is history and the end of the world as we know it is near? Give me a break. Diversity will remain, but fairness will prevail in that those who are most deserving will receive their proper due. "

 Proud Nebraskan wrote on November 5, 2008 1:08 pm:
" I am sad that NU feels this way. Yes, Diversity is great, but the way this article is presented, NU feels the only way they can bring in Diversity is to give minorities an advantage.

I think its great that all students will be equal. 424 doesnt prevent NU from providing special celebrations for minorities, it just prevents giving favoritism to these people. America has proven that we are all equal last night. An African-American is going to be President soon. And yes, Nebraska gave its electoral votes to McCain, but if you look at how the votes were divided up in Nebraska, McCain didnt win by a landslide.

For people who are upset that there can no longer be public scholarships directed towards a certain minority, think of what it would be like if a scholarship was only open to white males. I know that would open up a can of worms! Finally, people will be praised for their skills and qualities and not with the qualities they were born with. "

 Tim wrote on November 5, 2008 1:14 pm:
" I find it amazing that the people of Nebraska has spoken and the intelects and government wants to tell us that they know better. "

 JT wrote on November 5, 2008 1:32 pm:
" This country's educational system is massively weighted in favor of affluent whites - usually males, PARTICULARLY in the midwest. Targeted scholarships and recruitment events help ensure that everyone has equal access. Racism doesn't just "go away," it's not fixed, and what has happened here is embarrassing.

Congratulations, Nebraska, you just doomed your state University system.
Good work. "

 Did you read it wrote on November 5, 2008 1:48 pm:
" Actually, the amendment DOES prevent UNL and others from providing special celebrations and programs for minorities. Did you read the ballot initiative before you checked the "For" box?? While the rest of the country took a huge step forward, Nebraska took a huge step backwards with the passing of this. What else is new? "

 MarkyMark wrote on November 5, 2008 1:55 pm:
" Once again our 'Hick' population points out why our elected representatives, are the ones that should be voting on the issues. If any state needs Affirmative Action, it is this backwards, hayseed state, we live in.

What's next petitioning for an official race? How bout an official religion. Illustrating absurdity by being absurd. This is the reason we do not want the people voting on issues. Racism rears it's ugly head under the guise of twisted language and knee-jerk reactions. "

 TV watcher wrote on November 5, 2008 1:55 pm:
" In healthcare, minority health practitioners gain the experience to know the usual problems with preventive and after-care, i.e. chronic disease, heart conditions, strokes. Preserving space and thereby gaining in multiple institution knowledge and medicine builds quality of life and ultimately our economy. Nebraska resident. "

 James wrote on November 5, 2008 2:15 pm:
" It seems that Nebraska has gone in the opposite direction from most of the country and the world. Racism still exists, despite the great victory last night. Equality still does not exist in this society and the work towards achieving it is just beginning.

White Americans have long enjoyed advantages in this country that were denied to minorities. All affirmative action did was level the playing field by law. With the state's minority population increasing ( read: Hispanic) many white nebraskans are panicking and passing knee-jerk laws like this one and hinding behind Obama's election and saying " See...that proves were are all equal now." Ha! You just made this state increasingly irrelevant in the global economy. Companies and students that want to come to Nebraska will now pause because the people here are afraid of diversity and people not like them. Instead, places like Illinois and Pennsylvania and Colorado and Iowa will be more attractive because their populations look increasingly like the global population. How long will Nebraskans hide behind their low-paying jobs and smile while important local industries are sent to China? Why would this state re-elect or elect members of a party that almost ruined this country? "

 Disappointed wrote on November 5, 2008 2:29 pm:
" It's unfortunate that the University has to now examine whether the existence of a Women's center is within the law. Too many people concentrated on preferential hiring and did not look at the other impacts that passing Initiative 424 had on diversity especially at the University. I am disappointed in Nebraska as a whole, I can completely understand being against preferential hiring but to pass this initiative means so much more than that. It's unfortunate so many people saw affirmative action as filling quotas or hiring minorities over more qualified applicants when really that wasn't the case. I hope the University can still find ways to maintain some diversity on campus as it so desperately needs some diversity. "

 Proud Nebraskan wrote on November 5, 2008 2:55 pm:
" YES I DID READ IT. 424 doesn’t ban celebration and knowledge being spread UNLESS the celebration is strictly for a minority. Yes, we can celebrate Martin Luther King day. Everyone can, and rightfully so. Yes we can celebrate and make people aware of different cultures, its when we make these events strictly for the minority that the problem arises.

As a white woman I have been on both sides of affirmative action. I was given a scholarship because I was a woman, and although the scholarship did help me with school, I know that I may not have been the best candidate if a male (white, black, tan, whatever) was against me, and that bothers me knowing I wasn’t the best person for that specific award. I have also had to carry the weight of minority co-workers when I worked for a public organization. The HR director straight out told me that he had to hire so many minorities, and so the best candidates werent picked, just the best minority candidates.

Say what you want about Nebraska taking a step back, but affirmative action is discrimination. Why should a person of a different race, religion, gender, etc. get the extra boost? Yes, life wasn’t equal 100 or 200 years ago, but life isnt equal right now, but we're taking the steps forward. Saying that minorities NEED the boost is taking a step backwards. America is about working hard and being the best you can be, not having stuff handed to you. "

 fin wrote on November 5, 2008 2:59 pm:
" In the lead up to the vote on 424, we were told tha it was a law looking for a problem. WOW did a problem just come up?? HUH!! Did I miss something in the article? In giving preferances to anyone are we really promoting fairness? I find Nebraska very welcoming to all people. As a white male, I have had to work hard for all that I have. I'm glad that I have earned it with my God given skills. I belive we can recuite minorities without preferred treatments. "

 Ignignokt wrote on November 5, 2008 3:04 pm:
" While watching the pundits wax poetically about Obama's victory last night, I found it odd that one commentator concluded that, in Nebraska, the people voting for Obama were the same ones voting FOR the ban on affirmative action. That the Obama voters were enlightened enough to look past race and judge people on the content of their character and their merits alone. Ironically, it is the Obama supporters who were the most vocal opponents of the ban, even as their minority presidential candidate had won.

As a young child, I didn't learn to walk with crutches...I learned to walk by falling, and by getting back up after every fall. If we continue to push the belief that minorities cannot stand on their own, then how can we ever expect them to? "

 Derek wrote on November 5, 2008 3:10 pm:
" This is a free country. Those of you who feel this is a backward, hick state (or anything else you want to call it) ... MOVE.

You're absolutely right -- the people have spoken. And we don't want special treatment for people based on their race, creed, color, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.

This is what the people of this state want. Isn't it ironic that a voting minority (numbers-wise) thinks they should govern the voting majority? If you know something the rest of us don't, get out there and talk about it. Be a leader.

Representative government allows this to happen. Thank God we are a free country and we can still vote ourselves certain rights (for now!). Most Nebraskans are happy with this (that's why it passed) ... so if you're not, either learn to accept it or move. I think we'll be happy with that, too. "

 Concerned Citizen wrote on November 5, 2008 3:11 pm:
" I recently saw a report about an LPS program for Native American children that will help them eventually graduate from high school. Does this mean that programs such as this will be illegal? Targeting special areas in our community will prevent building jails in the future. "

 To JT wrote on November 5, 2008 3:13 pm:
" Let me get this straight...a person with lower grades, lower standardized test scores, and a lower class ranking deserves as much of an opportunity in higher education as a person with high grades, test scores, and class rank? "

 EK wrote on November 5, 2008 3:43 pm:
" Thre is a global pool of potential students who meet or exceed qualifications that many Nebraskan students won't even come close to. This is a great opportunity to challenge the school systems in Nebraska so her students are competitive. The change should be welcomed as a way to attract the best and brightest. "

 dave wrote on November 5, 2008 3:58 pm:
" Wow. Outlawing discrimination is discrimination. Outlawing decisions based on race is racist. Outlawing decisions based on gender is sexist. The vote validates the petition process. Nebraska has now joined a growing group of states trying to be color and gender blind. I celebrate the simple practicality of the matter. It makes our public institions quit being discriminatory, racist, sexist elitists. It appears that many can continue to be elitists. "

 Joe wrote on November 5, 2008 4:01 pm:
" Whatever happen to the idea of hiring the most qualified person? Why do we have "dumb-down" an institution to hire less qualified people? "

 CS wrote on November 5, 2008 4:16 pm:
" So maybe the non affluent whites and non-whites should get up and get busy. I graduated from a class D school in Rural Ne and got a full scholarship to college based on grades and activities. I worked in HS to pay for those activities. It's quite doable, even when you live over an hour + from Lincoln so you can only work crappy jobs. Poor is not an excuse. Small school is not an excuse. "

 Shame wrote on November 5, 2008 7:37 pm:
" This saddens me and those who say if we're not happy with it move. Keep passing and supporting initiatives like this you won't only have to worry about people moving but no one coming either. To those who supported this measure and feel that all with the election of Obama racism is over guess again. Nebraska showed its true colors not black, not white simple ignorance. "

 j83 wrote on November 5, 2008 8:07 pm:
" I'm surprised Bo Pelini didn't speak out against this. He is taking black kids from inner cities who have been disadvantaged all their lives. He should support efforts to help them attain employment and become good citizens in the future.

Nebraska has chosen to be a largely a racist, ignorant state. Congratulations Nebraska, too bad I won't be apart of it. Hopefully this is used in football recruiting to steer recruits away from this pathetic place. "

 HPG wrote on November 5, 2008 9:13 pm:
" The people of Nebraska have spoken, and loudly. Treat us all fairly. "

 Oh Goodness wrote on November 5, 2008 9:15 pm:
" These people just do not get who is paying their salary. They need to get a clue and wake up, Nebraskans have voted. "

 BigMo wrote on November 5, 2008 9:24 pm:
" This was an issue that was not born in Nebraska. Instead Nebraska was targeted by operatives of this national effort because it was seen as ripe for a win. The question is, a win for whom? The question also is, why Nebraska seemed so ripe for a win. Might it be the level of racism that led voters to bring in term limits to finish off Ernie Chambers. I mean let's be honest here, folks really just wanted Ernie gone...term limits wasn't the issue. So now, we were ripe and we delivered. So long diversity, or a hand up to give those who have been shut out a way in. Oh well, what issue next will the hate merchants use Nebraska as a brick in their wall of oppression. We know it will be based on intolerance, cause we will deliver the goods. "

 Ban its not just racism wrote on November 5, 2008 9:32 pm:
" but sexism as well.How many white males would tolerate a woman being their boss or getting promoted while they wee not?They call it discrimination even though the woman may be more qualified. "

 rumble grumble gurgle roar wrote on November 5, 2008 9:36 pm:
" "Initiative 424 supporters say programs and scholarships that give preferential treatment based on race and gender are wrong." --> marriage is a program the state oversees. Since the marriage definition in Nebraska is between a man and a woman, wouldn't that fall under a program that gives preferential treatment based on gender? Does 424 open the door to gay marriage in Nebraska? "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on November 5, 2008 9:38 pm:
" For the broken records whose only answer to any piece of political news they don't like is to complain that Nebraska is a 'hick state', I have one simple question: need any help packing? Obama took Lancaster County by approximately a 5% margin. Initiative 424 won in Lancaster County 56:44, pretty similar to the percentage in the whole state. That means at least 20% of the people who voted for Obama also voted for 424. So what were they? Racists for Obama?

The sort of 'diversity' activities that y'all are bemoaning do little for the vigor of the university except keep a small group of individuals in make-work jobs. What will attract good people, black, white, and other colors of the rainbow, to UNL will be first rate academic programs, not pandering to identity politics. 12 years after CCRI, Berkeley and UCLA are still among the top ten schools in the country. Over the same period, we've had 12 years of preferences, and we're not in the top 50. "

 Only part of Nebraska wrote on November 5, 2008 10:36 pm:
" In my opinion, only a PART of Nebraska has spoken against affirmative action. (58%) That means the other part of Nebraska expressed its opinion as well in the voting booths across the state.

To Proud Nebraskan -- Your example of celebrating / remembering Martin Luther King, Jr demonstrates to me that you have missed the point of the anti-ban's message. Everyone should know about Martin Luther King, Jr, especially since he was a part of our national history. However, the Womens in Technology Day held by SCC or some of the educational efforts offered by UNL are not the same as King's day. The focus is not for everyone.

You commented on two situations in your own life. If you didn't think you were the best candidate for the scholarship, why did you accept it? Or, did you come to that conclusion years later? How do you know you received it because you were a woman? Perhaps the people awarding the scholarship saw potential in you which you couldn't see at the time and believed you to be the best investment!

As for the work situation, did you talk to your supervisor, too? The HR person may have hired people based on questionable reasons, but that shouldn't have kept supervisors from evaluating the workers based on their work efforts. "

 kaseyo wrote on November 5, 2008 10:39 pm:
" Racism?
It is just the opposite, most qualified gets the position. Period.
No more filling a position with someone because it will looks good.
If I have the better education and better experience why shouln't I get the position? Should someone with less qualifications get that position because of race or gender? Think about it. "

 Re Geralds statistics wrote on November 5, 2008 11:16 pm:
" You should be looking at the actual votes and not percentages. More people voted for president than voted on the Initiative. It is well known that statistics can be used, or mis-used, to prove or disprove an idea. There were more votes in favor of the Initiative than there were for McCain, but the total number of votes cast in the presidential race still added up to more than the Initiative question. [For & Against - Initiative = 112,089; total presidential votes = 124,084]

Statistics are only valid when comparing one group of numbers or all the same items like all the presidential votes in 93 counties. Don't confuse the issues -- the election is over! "

 to Harbison wrote on November 5, 2008 11:28 pm:
" maybe you're not in the top 10 b/c your faculty are more interested in politics and blogs than top notch research and instruction? "

 Ed wrote on November 5, 2008 11:33 pm:
" Yes, you people don't understand. Most of you probably didn't think it through. This is an emotional issue that always gets the support of the ignorant. This will have longterm impact on the state - talented minorities will not want to come here. We're already laughingstocks in most of the country - when you travel outside of this state, even to the surrounding states, yes, "hicks" is what we are. Measures like this will ONLY reinforce that image of us around the country. It's almost as though we're a caricature of ourselves. The University will be damaged by this.

More importantly, people like me who attend the University, will be damaged. My educational opportunities are heightened when I have a diversity of viewpoints surrounding me. When the debates that I engage in contain a variety of voices, with perspectives I can't imagine, then my education is bettered. Maybe that doesn't matter to a chemistry professor, but in the humanities, liberal arts, law, etc. these are highly important qualities that a lily-white University (which UNL essentially is, even with diversity programs) won't offer to me. I only regret that I chose to go to school here now, when there are a lot of places that I could have gone. But I stayed home, a mistake that I WILL likely correct when I finish school.

The major irony? Those of you posting here who would want me to move - why say that if I don't like it, I should just leave, are probably the same people complaining of brain drain. At some point you people are going to have to understand that brain drain isn't caused by a lack of a particular type of job, but because the young in this state are ready for the future, not ready to regress further in this state. "

 Harry the Antenna Guy wrote on November 5, 2008 11:48 pm:
" Recruit everyone for your programs. No discriminatory selection practices. No targets. No preferences. Everyone is equal, right? So, why do we have specialized, targeted programs? "

 Dan wrote on November 6, 2008 12:12 am:
" Congratulations Nebraska! Tonight we were featured on CNN and Fox News because of 424, but neither of the reports were favorable to us. Great, we just became national news because we are the most backward thinking state of the election. I think its time to build another University, because this one we have is not educating enough people in the state. "

 Equality B. T. Law wrote on November 6, 2008 4:13 am:
" It's too bad University leaders didn't see this coming long ago and structure affirmative action programs along the lines of income, academic and professional output needs, geography, first-generation college status, and other such factors. That would have cut a wide swath through many needy and worthy minority and majority communities alike. It is not too late to read the works of Richard Kahlenberg on these subjects and tailor them to Nebraska, as a way to move quickly forward and away from recrimination. "

 this amendment doesnt dicriminate wrote on November 6, 2008 6:04 am:
" What this amendment says is Govt. Can't use OUR (hispanic, white, black, women and men) money (taxes) to give special treatment to an isolated group of people. Oh so I guess most of us did read the amendment. Maybe those that are against this amendment couldn't get pass the words Affirmative Action. and Ban. "

 Tom wrote on November 6, 2008 7:06 am:
" State fact quiz: What is Nebraska's motto?....Equality before the law. Not this time. "

 levy wrote on November 6, 2008 8:37 am:
" California passed the same proposal. Nobody calls the most heavily populated state in the US a bunch of hicks. Actually, they are called progressive. And their state universities are quite diverse. So congrats Nebraska! This puts us in select company. We don't need affirmative action to achieve diversity. "

 BigMo wrote on November 6, 2008 8:56 am:
" I grew up poor and earned scholarships and qualified for much financial aid...still had to work as well to get through college and graduate school. I remember sitting in a class one day waiting for it to get started and this friend of mine sitting next to me elbowed me and whispered about the Black guy across the room; "there's our tax money paying his way to be here..." That was a huge eye popper for me. For all my friend knew that Black guy came from a banker's family and was paying his way to college. I was the guy in the room spending all his tax money (like he had paid any yet!), but my White skin allowed me to step out of my childhood poverty and never have someone try to push me back. My too many people here seem to think is all you need to do is work hard, and America is a fair place. Well listen a little bit and maybe you'll hear that it ain't always so fair out there. "

 Mark wrote on November 6, 2008 9:17 am:
" I live in California and they repealed AA. Things are fine here, Nebraska just passed what needed to be done. Now if the Unversity officials feel they dont have to do what law says. Arrest them and send them to prison. Case closed. "

 MarkyMark wrote on November 6, 2008 9:28 am:
" Regardless of how you feel on the issue, I am fuming with anger for Nebraskans allowing Californians, to change OUR Constitution.

But then again, we have never been accused of being the brightest voting sector out there. "

 Common Sense wrote on November 6, 2008 10:11 am:
" Base decisions on the best candidate, not the color of ones skin. Simple common sense. By the way, NE isn't the only state to pass this. Not even close. "

 CS wrote on November 6, 2008 11:12 am:
" Marvin the Martian could propose a ballot initiative in NE and get it on the ballot. It still has to be voted on. Why does it matter if it was sponsored by someone in California that used to work for the University? It was still voted on by people HERE. "

 talk about ignorant... wrote on November 6, 2008 11:13 am:
" All of you claiming how ignorant our state is or how big of "hicks" we are, I have news for you...You are not basing any of your arguments on facts, just your opinions...PROVE to me that this amendment passing will decrease diversity. It hasn't done so in the other states that have passed similiar amendments, THAT IS A FACT.

Yes, I voted FOR 424 and I am a very highly educated white male. The reason I did for one, is that I have spoken to many of my minority friends and they are not fans of affirmative action. However, they are also highly educated and did not need handouts. They were given just as much opportunity, not because of the color of their skin but because of their qualifications. One of them beat me out for a job out of college because he was more qualified, that is great as he deserved it!!! Diversity exists at UNL and there will continue to be diversity. Just because a law goes away that gives preferential treatment to minorities who wouldn't normally receive it, doesn't mean the fully qualified minorities will shy away any longer. You will just have less handouts going to the undeserving.

Oh yes, MarkyMark, 90% of our state laws were ADOPTED from other states that were part of the US before we were brought in. Shame on you for thinking otherwise... "

 RE Ed wrote on November 6, 2008 11:18 am:
" Ed, you don't get it. Discrimination is wrong. Dress it up and call it affirmative action - it is still discrimation. Your mindset of assuming that one's color or religion or gender instantly qualifies them hand outs because 'they' are underrepresented is wrong. I want the best people that will do the best work. If the work needs a worldly prospective, then I will hire the best candidates who can provide this criteria but I won't base it on discrimatory affirmative action practices. I will base my decisions on the candidate who is best qualified to perform the work. If you want to give out government hand-outs, base it on income. I, and a majority of Nebraskans, do not support discrimination in the name of promoting diversity. "

 Hey Mr Ed wrote on November 6, 2008 11:45 am:
" Remember when you said: "More importantly, people like me who attend the University, will be damaged. My educational opportunities are heightened when I have a diversity of viewpoints surrounding me. When the debates that I engage in contain a variety of voices, with perspectives I can't imagine, then my education is bettered."
Did you ever consider that a "diversity" of opinions and viewpoints you can't comprehend may come from people who share your skin color or gender? Good lord, maybe we DO need more diveristy in our schools if people can't figure out a different skin color doesn't mean they have a different opinion of you.
The Asian friend I had growing up down the street shared my opinions, views, taste in food, taste in women and socio-economic status. The only thing we didn't share were our genes. It is WRONG to determine someone's acceptance by who their parents were. It is WRONG to assume your education would be "heightened" by having my neighbor in your class instead of me. STOP quoting ideas preached at you by your teachers and start thinking for yourself. "

 dear fin wrote on November 6, 2008 12:01 pm:
" You honestly find Nebraska "very welcoming to all people"? I suggest you take a look at the demographics of the state. Obviously there are some races, religions, and sexual orientations that don't feel the same way as you. "

 minority survivor wrote on November 6, 2008 12:40 pm:
" I suspect a lot of people don't get this. If you are certain skin color, and certain gender, you may never/rarely experience being on the wrong side of what's available. I recieved an education in the early 70's....(not free) because I was given the opportunity. In the 80's as a single mom without the benefit of child support, I couldn't qualify for the tax supported free food kids get in school, (or any other number of "special programs") because I consistently made about a thousand dollars a year over the limit. So if I'd not had that education, the welfare system would have had to help me. Seems to me you can really enable the under dogs so they carry their weight..................or keep em out of the system so they drain the system while we all call em rotten and lazy! Wow does anyone bother to think about the big picture any more? "

 JB wrote on November 6, 2008 1:30 pm:
" Now the "average white" guy will not have a excuse for not getting the job or into the college. Now they will have to omit they aren't that smart! "

 asdf wrote on November 6, 2008 1:48 pm:
" I can understand that this will effect scholarships, but I don't understand how this would effect things like Women in Technology... retool it to be a learning experience for everyone who wants to learn about women involved in technological positions. All that means is open it up as an invitiation to anyone (man, woman, whatever) and use it as experience to showcase efforts to encourage women, statistics, and the realities of women in that part of the workforce. I don't think it should be the end of the world. "

 Smile wrote on November 6, 2008 9:18 pm:
" Yes, California also banned affirmative action. They have also since seen a 20% drop in minority students in their state college system. And, no, it's not because they had previously been admitting unqualified students.

Most white males never get a whiff of the subtle racism that keeps the rest back. Read BigMo's letter to see what I'm talking about. "

 Losses wrote on November 6, 2008 9:24 pm:
" I was funded to run a series of summer programs to get kids interested in science. Each session targeted a different group, including one for high school boys. Oh well, looks like it may not happen now. "

 Kristine wrote on November 7, 2008 4:32 pm:
" I've read the weak comments a few times now, pointing out how Obama's election PROVES that discrimination is no longer alive and well. No, I think it's just that minorities, women, and today's youth outnumbered the rest. And that, my friends, is encouraging. See, I think the slight majority gets it, and I think that's the good news. "

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