2008 Woodie Awards
Looking behind the politics
Louie Araujo
Issue date: 9/23/03 Section: Campus Life
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In a wake of controversy that has surrounded Governor Gray Davis, brought on by his opponents in an effort to recall the governor, a separate initiative has also developed controversy and division amongst voters: Proposition 54, introduced by Assemblyman Myrvyn Dymally, D-Compton.
Neelam Canto-Lugo, Yuba College speech and communication instructor and Director of Crossing Bridges, held a presentation on campus to address the meaning of Proposition 54. On September 19, to over a hundred and seventy students, a panel of speakers presented differing views on the ballot initiative. Speakers included Dr. J. Mariner, Economic Development; Attorney Jesse Santana, of Beecham and Santana Law Offices; and Mr. Patrick Lane, of the Painters Union.
Lane stated, "A lot of people are misinformed and don't understand the proposition. The basis of the proposition is to say that we have become a color-blind society. The reality is that's foolishness!"
Ward Connerly, author of Proposition 209, which passed in 1996 to eliminate state and local government affirmative action, is currently pushing Proposition 54, according to an Associated Press release. On the ballot this fall, Proposition 54 will, if approved, prevent the state from classifying people by race, ethnicity or national origin in public education, contracting or employment.
Lane claimed during the presentation that no one understood the meaning of Prop. 54. He added that the measure will cause racial division. Lane expressed his opposition to Proposition 54 and stated, "54 allows no way to monitor K-12 education-creates racial profiling-police will be given a free hand-this is a measure that will divide us."
Lane continued, "When you vote for 54, you are saying you do not want profiling. What will happen with hate crimes? Do you believe one should be stopped because of color?"
A second guest at Yuba College, Dr. J. Mariner, stated, "The initiative (Proposition 54) becomes very blurred. How many people believe that Hispanics or Blacks are a race? People shouldn't be identified as race."
Neelam Canto-Lugo, Yuba College speech and communication instructor and Director of Crossing Bridges, held a presentation on campus to address the meaning of Proposition 54. On September 19, to over a hundred and seventy students, a panel of speakers presented differing views on the ballot initiative. Speakers included Dr. J. Mariner, Economic Development; Attorney Jesse Santana, of Beecham and Santana Law Offices; and Mr. Patrick Lane, of the Painters Union.
Lane stated, "A lot of people are misinformed and don't understand the proposition. The basis of the proposition is to say that we have become a color-blind society. The reality is that's foolishness!"
Ward Connerly, author of Proposition 209, which passed in 1996 to eliminate state and local government affirmative action, is currently pushing Proposition 54, according to an Associated Press release. On the ballot this fall, Proposition 54 will, if approved, prevent the state from classifying people by race, ethnicity or national origin in public education, contracting or employment.
Lane claimed during the presentation that no one understood the meaning of Prop. 54. He added that the measure will cause racial division. Lane expressed his opposition to Proposition 54 and stated, "54 allows no way to monitor K-12 education-creates racial profiling-police will be given a free hand-this is a measure that will divide us."
Lane continued, "When you vote for 54, you are saying you do not want profiling. What will happen with hate crimes? Do you believe one should be stopped because of color?"
A second guest at Yuba College, Dr. J. Mariner, stated, "The initiative (Proposition 54) becomes very blurred. How many people believe that Hispanics or Blacks are a race? People shouldn't be identified as race."