Brandy Saldana is likely to benefit from affirmative action.

Saldana is a 17-year-old Latina from Salinas, Alisal High school’s 2008 class valedictorian, and will enroll as a freshman at UC-Berkeley this fall.

Still, the ambitious, future English major is neutral on the controversial policy that was abolished in California in the 1990s.  Saldana says she recognizes the positive and negative aspects of affirmative action.

“Affirmative action takes away the concept of survival of the fittest,” but it might still be useful in some circumstances, said Saldana.

More than a decade after the California debate on affirmative action’s place in society reached its peak, it appears that a growing number of the people who would benefit from affirmative action programs either oppose them, or are at least non-commital about them.

When he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson set into motion a law that prohibited discrimination in voting, public education and accommodations, and employment in firms with more than 15 employees.

The Civil Rights Act also solidified earlier federal affirmative action policies, which targeted minorities and offered an “equal playing field” to all Americans seeking employment and admission to universities.

After years of court challenges and national debate over affirmative action, in 1996, California voters approved Proposition 209.  It prohibited state and local governments from using race or gender preferences in hiring, contracting, or college admissions.

Now, more than a decade after Proposition 209 has been the law of California, residents continue to debate the law and affirmative action.

Saldana’s thinking is similar to that of some conservatives who have criticized affirmative action policies in California.

For example, Carol Morrison of the Republican Party headquarters of Santa Clara County, who also runs a computer business, believes that it is only right to hire the most qualified candidate, regardless of race or gender.

Saldana and Morrison agree that they are neither completely for or against it, even though both could be affirmative action beneficiaries – Saldana for her race and gender and Morrison for gender.

Morrison believes that there are good intentions in affirmative action policies, but these policies have inadvertent consequences.

“It intends for the right goals when it comes to diversity, but its implication creates negative effects,” resulting in not having the most qualified applicant working for me, said Morrison.

Meanwhile, Saldana said it is an insult for employment or college admission standards to be lowered for minorities. She believes this gives minorities an unfair advantage.  While she understands that there are certain instances in which it is in fact justified, depending on social and economical factors.  But she also believes there are some circumstances in which the program is unreasonable too, like when two people are equally qualified and the only deciding factor of getting the job or college admission is race or gender.

She believes that by abolishing affirmative action, there would be a positive change in how minorities are viewed and minorities would have more self-confidence in their achievements.

“By ridding the policy, the majority of people will want to succeed on their own.  It would be a free for all, with no status quo.  People will strive to succeed and will work that much harder just to compete.  Eliminating it will only push us to do better because we won’t ever be guaranteed a spot,” she said.  

Saldana’s approach on affirmative action ties in with the views of controversial author Richard Rodriguez, an essayist and writer of short stories and autobiographical works including “Hunger of Memory” and “Days of Obligation.”

His essay entitled “None of this is fair,” conveys the irony of affirmative action.

A Stanford, Columbia, and Berkeley graduated with a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature, Rodriguez was a beneficiary of affirmative action.  At the height of his education, Rodriguez received teaching invitations from several top schools including Yale. One of his friends overheard the news about the many teaching opportunities Rodriguez was being offered.

The friend applied to the same places that Rodriguez had and was angry at the fact that Rodriguez’s success was coming so easily. Feeling guilty that his friend who was equally qualified and worthy of working at the same places was being denied and even ignored, Rodriguez comes to a realization:  affirmative action is unfair.

“The disadvantages of others permitted my promotion,” wrote Rodriguez in his short story.
While there are still debates on the merits of affirmative action, Proposition 209 is the law in California and is being followed. Still, there are people who believe that the California law should be overturned and affirmative action laws should be placed back in the books.

Francisco Alvarado, a San Jose State University graduate, completely supports affirmative action and everything it stands for.

He believes that through the program, minorities are offered a chance to compete for admission into college.

Alvarado works at Evergreen Valley College in a program called ENLACE, a program dedicated to help Latino students successfully complete English, math, and science requirements.  

He believes that as long as affirmative action exists, so will diversity on college campuses.  He also believes that in college, in order to learn culture, broaden your mind and open up to other people.  Affirmation action continues to that.

“Not only are you getting an education inside the class, but outside of the classroom as well,” said Alvarado. “You learn new things from people you are unfamiliar with.”

He is clear that learning and attempting understand ones heritage is key. “Learn from people of other cultures even if you don’t understand.  From attempting to learn someone else’s culture, you will have gained that much more respect,” he said.

Luis E. Ruelas, also from the San Jose area, said affirmative action is necessary to bring diversity to universities and workplaces.

Ruelas is a student at National Hispanic University, where he is majoring in engineering and is captain of the debate team.  He believes everyone deserves an equal opportunity when it comes to getting an education.

An immigrant to America from Mexico in 1999, Ruelas recently got his green card, however, he doesn’t believe it matters to get an education.

He recognized he was at a great disadvantage compared to U.S. citizens and non-minorities.

“Because there are few Hispanic and African Americans represented in universities, there is a lack of professionals from our ethnic backgrounds,” said Ruelas.

Ruelas believes that it is completely fair for minorities to get special consideration because they have many more obstacles to overcome in order to be at the same level with people who do not have to worry about economic need or racial discrimination.

“Affirmative action is not about taking any minority and giving them an opportunity they do not deserve,” said Ruelas.  “It’s just an extra factor to consider in order to give minorities a chance to make it. I think it’s fair that in the end we get recognized for our extra efforts by giving us a chance.”

–By Angela Velasco, 17, of Alisal High School in Salinas, CA. The incoming senior will be editor-in-chief of her school newspaper.