The purpose of EQUALITY TALK and EQUALITY TALK WIKI is an evolving concept. Originally conceived prior to passage of Proposal 2 in Michigan on November 7, 2006, it was designed to foster a multi-partisan and civil debate and discussion of the issues of race and gender equality, diversity, discrimination, "affirmative action" and "preference." The WIKI is a repository for
Photo, Michigan Supreme Court Building Facade
Contrary to the claims and personal attacks of some, there is far more "common ground" between some of the mainstream opponents and proponents of the issue than might be expected. Despite the polarization created by the negative campaigners of the extreme left in 2006, observers from both sides agree that the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) will have tremendous implications for the entire nation, starting first with its political impact on the oral arguments on December 4, 2006, in two US Supreme Court cases dealing with race preferences in high schools. This case should be decided by summer of 2007.
Michigan must take the opportunity to discuss these issues - both for healing and to necessarily discuss the alternatives that are still available after the Constitutional amendment takes effect on December 22, 2006. The nation must take the opportunity to discuss these issues as Ward Connerly pursues other states in 2008, and as a longer-term process moves us toward eventual equality throughout the nation. Indeed, from the perspective of the movement to end preferential treatment, answering the most important question of what we will do post-Connerly (when the ballot states are exhausted) is perhaps our most important task.
Specifically, the forum will therefore attempt to act as a clearinghouse for all news related to the contemporaneous history of the initiative, its ongoing enforcement and activities by government bodies to bring themselves into compliance (or evade compliance), and the national and international race and gender preference scene. While the forum is run by advocates of process equality, all are welcome as long as common-sense rules of civil decorum are followed.
We invite people to comment on each news item, and to add news links and stories, and start conversation threads, with a spirit of civility and respect for all perspectives. The forum will be co-moderated by several individuals with established positions on different sides of the debate who have a demonstrated record of encouraging civil discussion. Since this is a privately sponsored forum, civil behavior will be expected of all participants pursuant to the rules of discourse and the moderators and sponsor will have the sole and exclusive right to delete vitriolic responses. The decisions of the moderators in maintaining decorum will be final.
The previous version of this conference was deleted due to technical issues with content spam and an engine that simply didn't meet our requirements.
Below are links to a variety of equality and diversity related resources and information about the sponsor, Chetly Zarko and Zarko Research & Consulting. No guarantee as to the value or verity of outside links is made. Although it should be stated up front that Mr. Zarko is an advocate of the pro-equality, anti-preferences position and previously worked for the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative Committee in various leadership capacities, this forum does not necessarily reflect any entity's views and is entirely sponsored in a private capacity. Suggest additional links by emailing us.
