Arguments Pro and Con on Prop. 209

In my opinion, the Oct. 13 editorial on affirmative action is misleading. The anomalies of the program speak for themselves. The initiation of affirmative action was gross political error and it is a policy whose demise is overdue.

Prop. 209 is needed to right the inequities in our society, and a yes vote is vital to put our society back on even keel.

C.J.D. HUGHES

Westminster

* Opponents of Prop. 209 (this is the ballot measure to end race-based discrimination in California government) now tell us: “Vote against Prop. 209 because we don’t yet have an economic ‘level playing field.’ ” They’ve got it wrong! The truth is that we’ll never have a fair, colorblind society until we get rid of institutionalized racism caused by so-called “government affirmative action” preference programs.

Discrimination against any group (black, Hispanic, female or white) is wrong and is forbidden by law. The present discrimination against white men is repugnant, just as discrimination against black people is shameful. Affirmative action programs perpetuate racism. Everybody should support Prop. 209.

ROY L. BYRNES

San Juan Capistrano

* In his Oct. 13 commentary on Prop. 209, Edward Koch says, “Our current programs would give Bill Cosby’s child extra points and deny those extra points to the child of a poor, white, Appalachian family based on skin color. This is ludicrous.” Oppressed groups such as African Americans have been discriminated against and overlooked for jobs, housing, etc., for centuries based upon skin color alone!

By now you may have deduced that I am African American. When I hear talk of reverse discrimi- nation, I am amazed by its absurdity, and the millions that seem to buy into this notion. Koch says affirmative action discriminates against white men. I’ve worked in America for over 20 years and I have yet to see a white male discriminated against. One of my white male co-workers who is in management recently told me that many white men in America still do not understand the “privilege” that comes with being white. He went on to say he periodically has conversations with his white male counterparts who, when asked why they couldn’t hire, promote, or give proper credit to their African American co-workers or subordinates, routinely say, “Because he/she is black.”

I am running to the polls come election Tuesday and I hope whites and minorities alike vote no on Prop. 209. We can’t afford not to!

M. YVONNE TURNER

Long Beach