Greater LA
Arguments for and against Prop 16, which would pave the way for California to reinstate affirmative action
Proponents of Prop 16 and affirmative action point to the racial and ethnic makeup of the University of California, noting that it does not reflect the demographics of the state’s overall student-age population. Opponents do not believe things such as race should be considered for college admissions.
By Steve Chiotakis • • 10m ListenWhat would Proposition 16 do?
Proposition 16 would amend the California Constitution to allow race, ethnicity, sex, color and national origin to be considered when making decisions about accepting students to public universities, awarding state government contracts, and hiring state government workers. By doing so, Proposition 16 would pave the way for California to reinstate affirmative action policies at places such as the University of California. In the mid-1990s, state voters approved a different ballot initiative that essentially outlawed affirmative action.
What are the arguments in favor of this?
Proponents of Proposition 16 and affirmative action point to the racial and ethnic makeup of the University of California, for example, noting that it does not reflect the demographics of the state’s overall student-age population. They also argue this ballot initiative would help state institutions diversify. The current system cannot consider something like race and therefore, the argument goes, does not take into account barriers that many groups of Californians face, for example resource deficiencies and systemic racism.
What are the arguments against it?
