APRIL 7, 1995 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 15
COMMUNITY GROUPS A big difference between
what is said and what is done
by Bill Henderson
Greg, a client of mine, a person of wit, talent, energy, and considerable physical charm, stopped at the shop the other day. His visits are never frequent enough (is he really straight?) and I'm always pleased when he joins in on the "shop-chat" of other clients.
That day Greg turned the conservation to the news accounts that conservatives of both parties want to end affirmative action. For his part, this policy to end workplace discrimination against women and people of color is now counter-
then, and not just from radical right-wingers either. The prejudice, despite progress in employment, promotion, and pay equity, is still alive in America. I do hear less bigotry being voiced. But I do hear it. And so do you.
As this discourse unfolds before us and sweeps us along, whatever our personal opinions, will we lose track of that fact? Will we forget the original focus-that affirmative action was to end preferential treatment for Caucasian men?
OUTVoice
productive. "I'd like to be hired because of who I am, my qualifications, not because of what color I am."
My first thought was, "Greg, I wish everyone saw you for who you are and not as an African-American male only." My next thought was not expressed: if Greg feels the protection of affirmative action actually keeps employers from "seeing" the other facets of him, does that justify removing such protection from discrimination for all people of color and women?
If fair treatment was all that the looming national reinvestigation of affirmative action would cover, I'd still be anxious. The fact is, I'm afraid we are going to get very mired in the bog of 30 years of repressed resentments, selfish economic interests, and manipulative verbal entrapments. And yet I feel the coming discourse is, as Greg feels, necessary, despite the fact that the radical right wing wants to turn the clock back to the 50s.
All sides of the issue have embers of discontent driving them. I also know that those embers have been poked, stirred, and re-flamed by bigotry and race supremacists since our historic Civil Rights Act was being considered over 30 years ago. I'm honest enough to tell you as a teen I was rapt as the civil rights movement played across this nation's front pages and 13-inch TV screens. And I'm honest enough to tell you I still hear the same nasty asides and backhanded slurs about women and people of color that I heard
Republican and Democratic conservatives are asking us to accept that “effort" and "intention" is what should be re-
warded in America regarding creation of a truly fair work environment for women and people of color. You will hear more of such phrasings of this debate. Results are not to be required or measured under our affirmative action policy in their political strategy.
Will you be able to live with the idea that, in the way we treat each other as kindred human beings, it's what is said and not what is done that counts?
Shareholders don't buy on that basis. Sports champions don't win on that basis. Audits don't stop on that basis. Diplomas aren't granted on that basis. Voters don't win on that basis.
Why should businesses be judged on that basis? What is the bottom line in the treatment of people? Especially in human relations, results do count. Would you please speak out about that? Can you start speaking out now?
To join Out Voice send annual dues of $25 ($10 limited income) to: Out Voice, 1487 West 5th Ave. Box 226 Columbus, OH 43212
Bill Henderson is the vice chair of Out Voice.
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