The ‘Michigan Civil Rights Initiative’. That’s its official name, but the name often confuses people—if passed, it will amend Michigan’s Constitution to prevent public institutions from using principles of affirmative action in their hiring and admission policies, and from creating state and local programs that encourage the participation of women and minorities in typically male and Caucasian dominated fields. The folks advocating this initiative want us to believe that the playing field is now level and that the struggle for equality is over. You and I know that this is not the case; race and gender discrimination are still very real problems in Michigan, so it is critical that we take this message to our friends and neighbors.

ICPJ is asking you to talk to clergy members at your congregation about the issues of discrimination, equal opportunity, and the ballot initiative that threatens to eliminate equal opportunity in our state. Ask them to address the issue both within the congregation and within the regional bodies. The first step toward maintaining our commitment to diversity and protecting diversity is to educate people of faith about why this is a moral issue—and why this initiative is not for civil rights.

Visit http://oneunitedmichigan.org/ for more information.

What would the MCRI do in Michigan?

• Outreach programs that encourage minorities and women to enter fields such as police, fire fighting, and engineering or to attend college will be ended.
• Programs to encourage women and minorities to stay in school and prepare for good-paying jobs in engineering, science, or even construction and law enforcement will be eliminated.
• No programs to encourage men to become teachers or nurses, where they are underrepresented and needed.
• No affirmative action goals for contracting or hiring in state or local governments, and fewer opportunities for minority and women-owned firms to compete with big business.
• Gender- and minority-based representation on boards and commissions, including advisory boards dealing with corrections, education and public health, will end.
• In other states that have eliminated affirmative action, lawsuits threaten the ability of the state to provide gender-specific health services such as breast or prostate cancer screening.

Adapted from ‘Michigan United: Strength Through Diversity’

What Faith Communities are Saying about Affirmative Action

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