From: Roger Clegg, President and General Counsel, Center for Equal Opportunity

Message:

Luke Visconti says that Linda Chavez and I are "bigots" in his Skanner Foundation talk. We ought to be able to disagree with Mr. Visconti on issues like affirmative action without being defamed in this way. Ms. Chavez and I believe that no employee should be treated differently or given a preference on the basis of race or ethnicity, so how does that make us "bigots"?

Response from Luke Visconti:

I reject your labeling my words as defamation. I am using an accurate adjective (Readers: If you have not read the speech Mr. Clegg refers to, please click here). It may not be a pleasant one, but it's pithily descriptive: You and Ms. Chavez are bigots.

Your organization and its pursuits demonstrate a purposeful disregard of bias and racism in our society and the resultant economic and access disparities. You're bigots.

By backing the anti-affirmative-action initiative in Michigan called the "Civil Rights Bill," you worked to purposefully mislead voters. You're bigots.

You say that "no employee should be treated differently or given a preference on the basis of race or ethnicity," but that happens all the time, or else white people wouldn't be disproportionately wealthy and in positions of power. Best business practices dictate that the best possible talent be deployed in the best possible position. Given the reality of our society, that takes proactive and measured management to overcome the bias in our system. This is called affirmative action.

Today we have a very poignant story about a reprise of the famous Dr. Clark "black doll/white doll" tests (click here). It's a very sad video, but it's also a call to action. Talent is distributed regardless of bias and the damage done to certain groups in our society. Affirmative action is how we overcome this damage to provide true equal footing. Affirmative action is not charity; it overcomes systemic bias to build a sustainable business—and a sustainable America. 

Our April issue will be all about affirmative action (Readers: If you're not a subscriber, please consider it). Your views will receive a fair airing, but that's purposeful. I intend to air your views and those of people like you—and tell my readers where you get your money. The more people know and the more plain language is used, the less success bigots like you and Ms. Chavez will have.

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