At a conference held at Ypsilanti's Marriott Hotel on April 26, Rev. Jesse Jackson said affirmative action is a positive program and a "majority issue" - despite protests supporting and lawsuits challenging the University's admissions policies.
Jackson said that although relations between blacks and whites have improved, there still is a widening economic gap between the rich and the poor, which makes affirmative action not only an issue of race, but also one of economic justice and social equality.
"Affirmative action is a remedy for problems in our society," Jackson said. "Now the remedy is under attack. We need to realize this and seek to bring people to common ground."
Jackson said compromise is the key to improved relations between people of all backgrounds. "If we expect to grow together, we'll have to do some things differently," Jackson said.
The crowd reacted positively to his statements, shouting and applauding as he declared that, contrary to popular belief, affirmative action often has good results.
Jackson said that affirmative action should not be viewed as a problem, but must be seen as a way to provide equal opportunity - not just for minorities but also for economically disadvantaged Americans.
"It's the class gap that is leaving most Americans behind," Jackson said. "One of every four youths are born in poverty."
Jackson said he is disappointed by the amount of money spent on building prisons, while many schools are underfunded.
"Every city I visit, I see two new things: a ball park and a jail," Jackson said. "America is creating first class jails and second class schools, and that is not good for America's future."
Jackson said inadequately educated Americans miss career opportunities and widen the economic gap in the United States - making affirmative action necessary to give everyone an equal opportunity for economic success.
Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a multi-issue group founded by Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., addresses affirmative action by stressing social, racial and economic justice.
"America's dream is a dream of diversity," Jackson said. "(Americans) do not need to inherit wealth if they are given ability and opportunity." Jackson added that on college campuses, problems created by race, economic status and social tension need to be recognized.
"Jesus measured character on how we treated people on the margins," Jackson said. "We need to ... realize that character is not a judgment of skin color, financial status or SAT scores."
Audience members linked arms to show support for Jackson's speech.
"If we must go down in this battle, we will still measure our character by commitment and outreach," Jackson said.
By supporting affirmative action, Jackson said, America will "leave no one behind."
05-05-98
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