Civil Rights Initiative

* Re “Will Americans Really Turn ‘Colorblind’?” editorial, June 14:

The editors of The Times favored us with the advice that we cease our efforts to place the California Civil Rights Initiative before the voters. They argue that the issue is moot, because the U.S. Supreme Court has settled the matter in the Adarand case. For several reasons, we will with regret decline to take this advice.

First, and contrary to what The Times wrote, the Adarand decision makes no change at all regarding state policy.

Second, we think the public debate is the decisive forum. Ultimately the Constitution is interpreted by its owners, the sovereign people. Just now Americans are divided on the meaning of equality, the central idea in our republic. The editors of The Times, and large numbers of others in the intellectual classes, disbelieve that equality before the law requires that the law be colorblind.

In deliberating what to do, we at the CCRI will remember the advice of Lincoln: “[The Founders] set up a standard maxim for free society which should be familiar to all and revered by all . . . constantly labored for and, even though never perfectly attained, constantly approximated, and thereby constantly spreading and deepening its influence and augmenting the happiness and value of life to all people of all colors everywhere.”

We thank the editors for their advice. In return, we commend these words of Lincoln to them. It will be the message of our campaign.

LARRY P. ARNN, Chair

California Civil Rights Initiative

Los Angeles