During this same time, says Jordan, a California Commission on the Status of Males, chaired by Assemblyperson Barbara Lee (now in Congress) reported that African American males in California make up 4 percent of the population, but comprised over 30 percent of the high school drop-outs, over 30 percent of the prison population, over 30 percent of the homicides and over 30 percent of the unemployed in some communities. "This report also reflected a genocidal path from the schoolyard to the workyard to the graveyard," said Jordan.

The report had little effect on Chico Assemblyman Bernie Richter, who had attempted to derail Lee's report several times. Richter whose main purpose proved to be the gutting of any kind of Affirmative Action - even that of distressed citizens. By June 1994, Richter had lambasted affirmative action, and introduced constitutional amendment ACA-47 to end Affirmative Action in public employment, education and contracting for ethnic minorities and women. He tried several times, but his legislation was defeated by the Democrats led by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and Senator Bill Lockyer, with support from state civil rights groups.

The final activity, according to Jordan, before the actual campaign began, was a lawsuit against the state Attorney General Dan Lundgren by Affirmative Action supporters to require a fair and impartial ballot title and summary to include the words "Affirmative Action". Yet, the measure did not even mention those words.

Meanwhile, then Governor Pete Wilson had started immigrant bashing with Prop. 187, "enabling him to win another unexpected term," states Jordan in his book. "He used Ward Connerly and Pam Lewis to call for a rejection of preferences by getting voters to vote 'yes' on Proposition 209," Jordan continues. Connerly described by Jordan as a close political ally of Governor Wilson, was appointed initiative chairman in December 1995 to help raise money. (continued next page)