Prop. 209 and Racial Discrimination

* I must admit, I am quite disturbed by the passage of Prop. 209. In this supposed “colorblind” state, I was struck by the story (“United by Anger,” Nov. 6) about African American men being pulled over for DWB (driving while black). I can relate. When I was in law school, I was the editor of the Boalt Hall chapter of the Black Law Journal. While driving through UCLA’s campus with a friend of mine (another black law student) to meet with my UCLA counterpart, we encountered a patrol car of UCLA’s finest. They hit us with the infamous “light.”

We were ordered out of the car at gunpoint, told to lie face down in the street and handcuffed. All of this occurred at around noon. My friend repeatedly told the officers, “It’s my car. My wallet is in my back pocket and my registration is in the glove compartment.” We were handcuffed and placed in separate police cars while the officers searched through the car. After they found nothing incriminating, they released us. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence for black men.

The second thing that struck me was “Texaco Takes a Beating as Race Scandal Widens” (Business). Texaco executives were secretly tape-recorded talking about shredding incriminating documents relating to a pending race discrimination suit.

So, you will excuse me, Ward Connerly and Gov. Pete Wilson, if I am not ebullient with the return to the good ol’ days that Prop. 209, in my view, represents. Extra, Extra: We do not live in a colorblind society. Affirmative action was, and will hopefully continue to be, a modest tool to not only combat past discrimination but current discrimination as well. I, too, look forward to the day when we will no longer need the tool of affirmative action. However, that day has not yet come.

JEFFREY C. KELLEY

Los Angeles

* Now that we’ve passed Prop. 209, it’s time for the voters to take nondiscrimination to the next level. Let’s make sure that our university system leaves a number of slots available for the economically disadvantaged. Without regard to gender, race or religion, young people who come from impoverished backgrounds deserve full support to compete and seek the American Dream. Take the best of this group without consideration of anything other than economic need and aptitude.

I think we will all be pleasantly surprised to find that our diversity wishes are fulfilled without any group’s resentment of any other group. Intelligence and capability are not functions of gender or ethnicity.

MISCHELLE MARTIN

Los Angeles

* I am compelled to believe that the sweeping victory of Prop. 209 is based on vague and ambiguous language, with the added bonus that “yes” meant “no,” written specifically to deceive the public.

In the alternative, perhaps I failed to see that discrimination ended. Have I failed to observe all of our citizens being treated equally and fairly and given the “break” they deserve without discrimi- nation? Shame on you, Califor- nians--your vote moves us backward.

LINK K. SCHWARTZ

Los Angeles

* Re “Voting With Vigor: New Citizens, Many Opposed to Prop. 209, Eagerly Cast Ballots,” Nov. 6: America has to be the only nation in the world where a recently arrived immigrant would have the gall to demand racial preference over those who have come before them. We also have to be the only nation where the mainstream media buy into their demands.

ANTHONY T. KOSS

Encino