Brandon Brice

In 1975, Arthur Fletcher who served as the Assistant Secretary of Labor during the Nixon administration penned the Equal Opportunity Act which was passed. This act stated, “when two people of equal measure apply for a job and both are qualified, if there was or is a history of discrimination in that job or job category based on skin color, the job should first go to the person whose class had been discriminated against”. This program was not just about “quotas”, which were a bastardization of the original act undertaken as an effort to appease African Americans who were being excluded from areas in which no history of discrimination may have occurred.

As an educated African American I recognize the results of slavery, but I also forgive the acts of cruelty against us so that we can move forward as a people in America. I support affirmative action, but only with preferential hiring in limited circumstances. For example, let’s hire more male teachers for grades K-5 since studies have shown that many minority children come from single parent homes where the father is not present. The focus for affirmative opportunity should simply focus on more minority hires out of fairness. Given that public schools are more than 60% minorities the execution of policy needs re-examining.

I have to admit as a supporter of “affirmative opportunity” one of the classic examples of the benefits of affirmative action is Justice Clarence Thomas on the United States Supreme Court. In the past sixteen years, the United States has come to know this conservative icon that has not always sided with the bulk of black America, which politically can be taboo. Justice Thomas stated in a past interview, “I’m Black”, I’m supposed to think a certain way. I’m supposed to have certain opinions. I don’t do that. You don’t create a box and put people in and make generalizations about them.” It was at that moment when I heard these statements I smiled with glee, to know that someone other than I understood the bigger picture of what’s wrong with black America. I thought, we have to welcome independent thinking.

It’s interesting to know that there are many young black conservatives and moderate republicans, especially under the age of thirty. Most important as it relates to this concept of “affirmative opportunity”, is the lack of exposure of black parents educating their children on the lessons and rewards of hard work, studying hard in school, and learning not to settle for less than expected. These ideals have evolved in black culture for centuries through the church, which at one time was the center of the black nucleus.

Justice Thomas, in a recent interview suggested that his Yale Law degree did not make him any stronger competitively, but simple granted him opportunity and access. Justice Thomas, whom I met and spoke with as a Heritage Foundation fellow sparked a new generation of thought for young black republicans. This thought questions the true essence of why we have experienced generations of disadvantaged students who may enter into our top academic institution via affirmative action but fail to succeed in the end, because of lack of preparation.

ative opportunity”, is the lack of exposure of black parents educating their children on the lessons and rewards of hard work, studying hard in school, and learning not to settle for less than expected. These ideals have evolved in black culture for centuries through the church, which at one time was the center of the black nucleus.

Justice Thomas, in a recent interview suggested that his Yale Law degree did not make him any stronger competitively, but simple granted him opportunity and access. Justice Thomas, whom I met and spoke with as a Heritage Foundation fellow sparked a new generation of thought for young black republicans. This thought questiones the true essence of why we have experienced generations of disadvantaged students who may enter into our top academic institution via affirmative action but fail to succeed in the end, because of lack of preparation.