State Question 759: Does Oklahoma Still Need Affirmative Action?
Filed by KOSU News in State Impact.
October 18, 2012
Logan Layden / StateImpact Oklahoma
State Sen. Rob Johnson (R-Kingfisher) was one of the authors of the resolution that led to State Question 759.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in an affirmative action case that deals with the ability of the University of Texas to consider race when admitting students.
Oklahoma is in an affirmative action battle of its own, but this one will be decided by voters when they weigh in on State Question 759. It would ban the state from taking race into account when making hiring decisions and negotiating contracts, for example.
The initiative has sparked a debate over the fundamental fairness of the practice and whether discrimination is still a major problem in Oklahoma.
But opponents worry that the unintended consequences of 759’s passage could include making college more difficult for minority students to afford.
- Both Sides Have Their Say In Affirmative Action DebateStateImpact Oklahoma’s Logan Layden talks to representatives from organizations who oppose and support SQ 759Download
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Re the last sentence in the article: Why should skin color matter when it comes to awarding scholarships and financial aid? There are plenty of poor people of all colors, and plenty of well-off people of all colors. Vote YES on SQ 759!
If "things" were equal in education, employeement, and contacting Oklahoma would not need Affirmative Action. However, because unfair and discriminatory practices are still alive and well in Oklahoma we need legislation that supports Afiirmative Action. This is a case of what was once known as "reverse discrimination."