SHOULD THE CHURCH SUPPORT
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION?
By Ralph Spence, Jr. - October 1995
At a recent meeting of our Executive Council, a resolution supporting affirmative action was passed. On a split vote, language was included which calls the Church to "protest against political movements and leaders seeking to end affirmative action". I do not support giving Church leadership the authority to use affirmative action as a "litmus test" to justify broad-based political opposition. Also, I do not believe Executive Council should go beyond the direction given through General Convention resolutions on sensitive issues. I feel the Church could provide spiritual nourishment and strengthen our witness to the world more effectively by communicating a broader understanding of the concerns raised by affirmative action policy.
First, we must recognize that affirmative action has evolved beyond the original policy which called employers to hire from minority groups when skills of the applicants were equal. Today, it requires some employers to choose a person of color or female, even when their qualifications are less than other applicants. Also, it has forced employers to develop quotas, not only for hiring, but also for rewards and discipline. As many strive to view the world through color-blind eyes, affirmative action forces them to see a difference in people and demands that they make assumptions and decisions based on that difference.
If the goal of affirmative action is to assist the socio-economically disadvantaged, current policy raises questions for many which must be explored. Should color and gender be the main factors that determine if one is disadvantaged and in need of assistance in seeking employment? Should the programs of affirmative action be viewed as atonement for the past? Since our youth are not responsible for society's failures, is it right to let some be punished by the hiring restrictions of this policy while others benefit? Is this policy teaching a new generation that discrimination based on color or gender is justified? Should affirmative action programs give recent immigrants advantage over people born in this country? Is individual freedom compromised by government interference in employment decisions?
If the Church supports affirmative action, these questions and others from our membership should be addressed. A pastoral response to concerns would make the Church's position more inclusive and might reveal ways to improve policy. If the Church cannot honestly represent all members, perhaps it would have more influence on public policy by encouraging our members to speak for themselves.
