Georgetown professors argue in favor of affirmative action

Charles R. Lawrence III and Mari Matsuda argued in favor of affirmative action in the ASEAN Auditorium last night for an event entitled "We've Been Here Before: Hate Speech, Affirmative Action, Structural Inequality."

Both speakers are professors at Georgetown University's Law Center and co-authors of the book "We Won't Go Back: Making the Case for Affirmative Action." Lawrence spoke first about the two meanings of affirmative action. On a shallow level, he said that it is a way for the elite to justify their previous wrongdoings; on a deeper level, he said that it is a means to systematically restructure the institutes that foster prejudice. This second meaning, he said, provides the real justification for affirmative action.

At the same time, he said that affirmative action cannot be "neutral and colorblind" as long as general college admissions are not unbiased.

Matsuda focused her attention on her perception of justice. While many might call acts of hate speech and racism isolated incidents, she said that these "isolated incidents pile up until they have a visible structure."

Universities, she said, are becoming increasingly homogenous and need to employ affirmative action to diversify.

She said that the affirmative action should be a holistic process rather than a numbers game. "Affirmative action is not quotas," she said.

During the event, some faculty members chimed in with their opinions.

Associate Professor of Political Science Pearl Robinson said that Tufts should have classes that address affirmative action. "Tufts needs affirmative action in its curriculum," she said.

Associate Professor of English Christina Sharpe voiced similar concerns. "I do not want students to leave here today without really knowing what affirmative action is," she said.

The event was sponsored by the School of Arts, Sciences and Engineering's Office of Diversity Education and Development.