The approval of Proposal 2 would set Michigan back years in the quest to create public institutions that are equally representative of the population.

If passed, Proposal 2 would amend the state constitution to ban affirmative action programs in regards to race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin for public employment.

The proposal would affect employment or admissions at government institutions, as well as public colleges and universities.

Debunking the myths

Affirmative action is not quotas.

Affirmative action is recruitment programs that allow access to public institutions to the underrepresented.

Affirmative action is not a handout for unqualified candidates.

Affirmative action is a systematic attempt to level the playing field for all applicants, ensuring that the pool of applicants reflects the population as a whole.

Affirmative action is not about black people.

Affirmative action affects all underrepresented populations — including women firefighters and even male nurses.

Leading language

The proposal’s language, printed above, uses the phrase “preferential treatment” to categorize affirmative action.

This is a blatant attempt to confuse Michigan voters.

Of course “preferential treatment” sounds bad. No one wants that.

Unfortunately for the MCRI, that isn’t what affirmative action is.

Proposal 2 even goes as far to include a second bullet point, also printed above, that would prohibit institutions from discrimination — something that already is in our state’s constitution.

Voters should not allow themselves to be confused by the innocuous, yet wildly irresponsible language.

Origins of the MCRI

The creator of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative is, in fact, not a Michigander.

Ward Connerly, a Californian millionaire, brought the proposal here and has no stake in the outcome.

Voters in his home state approved Proposal 209 in 1996 — a similar proposal that outlawed affirmative action.

The facts on the repercussions of such an act are clear.

According to an Oct. 20 report in The Detroit News, black enrollment at the University of California dropped more than 50 percent immediately following Proposal 209 and has yet to recover.

Also, Hispanic students accounted for 37 percent of California’s high school graduates in 2005. The freshman class at the University of California that same year was only 15.5 percent Hispanic.

The Detroit News also reported the UC campus has added 8,000 students in the time since Proposal 209 was approved. Black enrollment, in that same time period, has decreased by 36 students.

This should not be what voters want to see for Michigan’s future.

A clear choice

Voters have a clear choice to make on their ballot on Nov. 7.

Opponents also include Gov. Jennifer Granholm, her Republican challenger Dick DeVos, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and her Republican challenger Mike Bouchard.

If you respect diversity, you should vote no on 2.

If you respect your education, you should vote no on 2.

If you respect the future of this state, you should vote no on 2.