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Contributing writer
The panel discussion on affirmative action set out to enlighten and educate people abo ut affirmative action.
It set out to break down the myths of affirmative action and point out the continual need for affirmative action laws.Although it did educate, the discussion raised some more questions.
One of the myths abo ut affirmative action suggests that African Americans get better jobs and better education.
However, George Brown, first district councilman of Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, pointed out that, 25 years after the beginning of affirmative a ction, 94 percent of the wealth in America still lies with European Americans.
"After 25 years of affirmative action, is racism still prevalent? Is sexism still prevalent in our society? Is classism still prevalent in our society?" Brown asked.
His answer to his questions is that they are still present, creating the need for affirmative action.
"The job is not done," Brown said. "The playing field is not level"
Horace Bartilow, assistant professor of political science and mediat or, raised the question, "why are we skeptical of affirmative action in the classroom and not in athletics?"
The idea of affirmative action is to level the playing ground, or to give the disadvantaged equal oppurtunity.
Affirmative action does n ot set out a quota for businesses or schools to meet.
Henry Jackson, a local businessman, added that Notre Dame uses a form of affirmative action when they let 25 percent of their alumni's children in to the school based on the fact that they are alu mni's children.
Roy Peterson, secretary of Educational Arts and Humanities Cabinet, said the workforce and our student bodies should represent the make up of our community.
"You have to give people the oppurtunity to succeed," said Peterson.
The panel agreed that affirmative action is needed until racism is eliminated.
Until the playing ground is level, America will need affirmative action laws to police fairness.
Finally, Peterson and Dean of Students David Stockham made two poi nts that summed up the end result of affirmative action.
"No nation can afford to discriminate against any of its people because talent can be found anywhere," Peterson said.
"Higher education is measured by who we let out and not be who we let it," Stockham said.
Although we have affirmative action laws, people who are not competent for the jobs or the education would be weeded out in a matter of time, he said.
Photo: THAT'S AFFIRMATIVE George Brown, Lexington city councilman, spoke about affirmative action as part of a panel at an AWARE meeting last night in the Student Center.JAMES CRISP Kernel staff
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