The Future (or End) of Affirmative Action in Michigan
Informed debate on the proposed Michigan Civil Rights Initiative

Tim Wise, author of White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, argues that voters should reject the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. Click below to view Tim Wise's: Opening statement Rebuttal

U of M Professor Carl Cohen, an author of the MCRI, argues that voters should pass the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative in November. Click below to view Carl Cohen's: Opening statement Rebuttal

Civil rights. Affirmative action. Diversity. Quotas. Social justice. Hot button terms to be sure. Michigan voters will need to sort out the issues to vote wisely this fall on the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) ballot proposal.

To help educate and inform the Michigan State University community about the initiative and its potential impact on higher education in the state, the Residence Halls Association (RHA) recently held a "dialogue" at Wells Hall featuring noted experts on both sides of the issue.

University of Michigan Philosophy Professor and former ACLU Executive Carl Cohen talked about why he is pushing hard for passage. Author and Civil Rights Activitist Tim Wise warned that the MCRI would result in dramatic reductions in the number of minority students at MSU.

The proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution, in its entirety, says:

"The state [Michigan] shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origina in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting." 

To further informed discussion, SpartanEdge.com offers video clips of the complete opening statements and rebuttal statements by Carl Cohen and Tim Wise.

Click below to view the videos in the same order as during the dialogue at Wells Hall:

• Carl Cohen - Opening Statement - 20:00
• Tim Wise - Opening Statement - 20:00
• Carl Cohen - Rebuttal - 10:00
• Tim Wise - Rebuttal - 10:00