MCRI focus of discussion
The debate over affirmative action and the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative is coming to CMU in a little more than two weeks.
You Decide: Speaker Series will host a debate on the limits of affirmative action from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 18 in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium.
“This is taking in two of the most toxic issues in Michigan — race and gender,” said Erik Diana, chairman of the You Decide: Speaker Series and Marshall senior. “People need to realize how big of an issue this is.”
A group of students opposed to the initiative, Students Against Affirmative Action, are planning to rally outside Plachta before the event. The group is calling the rally “Affirmative Action is Racist,” according to a press release sent by Topinabee sophomore Dennis Lennox II to Central Michigan Life.
The debate will focus on the MCRI, a ballot initiative to amend the Michigan constitution to ban race-based affirmative action in public institutions. The initiative will be on the ballot as Proposal 2 in November.
Conservative writer Jason Mattera and conservative political consultant and researcher Chetly Zarko will be two of four panelists and will defend the MCRI.
Those opposing Proposal 2 will be represented by Luke Massie, liberal activist and leader of By Any Means Necessary, and Lynne Martinez, who will represent One United Michigan.
Meet the panelists
Jason Mattera — Conservative writer featured on “Hannity & Colmes,” “Fox & Friends” and “Hardball”
Luke Massie — Co-chairman of BAMN is leading efforts to ban affirmative action in Michigan
Chetly Zarko — Political consultant, researcher and former MCRI treasurer
Lynne Martinez — Represents One United Michigan and is a former state representative
Panelists will discuss the origin of U.S. affirmative action and how the issue got on the November ballot.
They also will debate whether or not affirmative action should be banned, if there are differences between affirmative action and racial preference and if affirmative action still is necessary today.
Although no panelists are from the MCRI campaign aside from former-MCRI treasurer Zarko, Diana said the representation is balanced.
“It’s very important that in order for people to get properly educated, there needs to be both sides represented,” he said.
David Jesuit, assistant political science professor and adviser for political science fraternity Pi Sigma Alpha, agrees.
“It’s such an important issue on the ballot,” said Jesuit. “It is important that both sides are heard and have a real debate or discussion so we can be informed before the election.”
Diana said having a balanced panel is the most important aspect of the event.
“We scheduled two people that are considered more moderate on the issue, Zarko and Martinez, and then two people that are a little bit further polarized, Jason and Luke,” he said.
Diana said the event was funded by the Student Budget Allocation Committee Pi Sigma Alpha.
He said he expects between 1,100 and 1,200 people to attend.
A press conference will take place at 6 p.m. before the event in Plachta and doors will open to the public at 7 p.m.
Staff Reporter Sandy Burkhardt contributed to this article.
