---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 7 Nov 1995 15:48:35 -0500
From: Denis COLLINS (608-263-3922) <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list IABS-L <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: affirmative action
 
for the past seven years i've had my classes debate affirmative action.  this
semester we did the debate yesterday.  it seems with the change in the social
context (this is a real political agenda item rather than just hypothetical)
and more bad experiences by students on both sides of the issue, this is really
a hot debate with a big swing of the pendulum going on.
 
typically, the votes in previous years had been split 50/50.  this semester,
both of my classes were very lopsided, with over 80% in both classes arguing
against affirmative action.  white male after white male gave testimony to not
getting a job because he was a white male.  on the other hand, my black and
women students gave testimony on how they've been excluded from jobs and the
prejudices they've experienced.  despite these prejudices experienced by the
women (90% of whom are white), they sided with the angry white males against
affirmative action plans.
 
denis