The problem with race in America is not that we are not talking enough about race, but rather that real communication is circumvented by personal attacks. There are some issues that seem settled to virtually everyone. No one should be discriminated against on the basis of race in public accommodation, or for a job, or at a restaurant, or any of the normal public interactions between people. Most would hope that even in private interactions race would be irrelevant. Every serious person wants anti-discrimination laws vigorously enforced. This does not mean that bigotry and racism do not exist, just that no intellectually serious person advocates them.
The one real public policy question specifically related to race is whether the government ought to grant preferential treatment on the basis of skin color. Affirmative action used to mean ``casting a wider net,'' not sorting the fish by pigmentation. Unfortunately, affirmative action has become the short hand for preferential treatment on the basis of race.
California voters passed a referendum (Proposition 209) that simply stated:
"The state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting.''
The wording is modeled after the 1964 Civil Rights Act. There are honorable and well- intentioned people on both sides of the issue. One of the supporters of Proposition 209 was Ward Connerly, an African-American businessman. For his efforts Connerly was referred to as a ``house slave'' and a ``puppet of the white man'' by the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Serious opponents of preferential treatment on the basis of race and dissenters to the Liberal ideology bring down upon themselves personal attacks not conducive to real dialogue. Few are willing to engage in dialogue in this ugly environment.
President Clinton, to his credit said, ``I know that the people of California voted to repeal affirmative action without any ill motive.'' However, he went on to claim that the reason for the repeal was the mistaken ``conviction that discrimination and isolation are no longer
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