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Newsletter Archives
Affirmative Action Update
by Frederick E. Jordan
MARCH 2004
“DECEPTION AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION”


If you think the anti-affirmative action attacks in this country have died down, then think again? In 2003 seven anti-affirmative action bills were introduced in six states, according to a report by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund. California Black businessman Ward Connerly, no less, is behind the attacks in several states and is currently organizing a petition drive for this November’s ballot to outlaw all affirmative action in Michigan.

Labor, civil rights and student organizations have filed lawsuits challenging the petition asserting the petition falsely claims to be a civil rights initiative by deliberately failing to inform voters of the existing civil rights provisions that the petition seeks to amend. (Connerly deceptively did the same on California Prop. 209, derailing affirmative action, by not mentioning the words, “affirmative action,” prompting a similar lawsuit by me in 1996). “These petitions deliberately lie to the voters,” states the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action by Any Means Necessary (BAMN). “It would nullify the recent Supreme Court’s decision supporting affirmative action in admissions at the University of Michigan and if passed, would result in a 75 percent drop in Black enrollment at the University of Michigan,” BAMN continued.

Meanwhile, the New Civil Rights Movement is mobilizing for a national boycott of
Coors Beer for funding attacks on affirmative action and integration. It is reported that William Coors has been funding Ward Connerly and made the following statement to Black and Mexican-American businessmen in 1984. He told the group that if they thought it was unfair that their ancestors were dragged here in chains against their will…..”I would urge those of you who feel that way to go back to where your ancestors came from.”

Speaking of Africa, maybe looking back towards the native land is not so bad when it comes to making money. USA TODAY newspaper, Feb. 9, 2004, has reported that the most profitable stock market in the world is the Ghanian Stock Exchange, up 143% this past year. Brazil, with 72 million Black population, was No. 2, up 141% and Uganda, No. 3, was up 140%. Chile rounded out the top 10, at 75%. The US wasn’t even mentioned. “The Market is a reflection of the trends of the economy,” states Larry Ivory, VP of stock brokerage firm, Smith Barney, and Board member of the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC). NBCC has been working with the Ghanian Stock Market and Ghana officials to facilitate stock trade directly with the American public.
Black Alameda County, CA Treasurer, Don White, has been brilliantly investing in Ghana for years and is now significantly being courted to run for Mayor of Oakland as a most effective elected administrator. “Back to Africa” might be more than a notion……

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