Annual NAACP banquet held at Horizons Center

October 2, 2006 —

Discussion on the Michigan Civil Right's Initiative and a speech from the president of the University of Michigan highlighted the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet held at the New Horizons Center Sept. 24.

Part of the discussion was centered on the Civil Right's Initiative, which will appear on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.

The initiative aims to amend the Michigan Constitution to prohibit state and local government from granting preferential treatment to any individual or group based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the areas of public employment, contracting, and education.

Assistant Secretary for the Executive Committee for the Saginaw Branch of the NAACP Michelle Allen was one of the speakers and highlighted some of the potential fallouts if the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative goes through.

Allen mentioned the elimination of scholarships for minorities and women, King-Chavez-Parks programs, and programs at universities that help with the hiring of minorities and faculty.

"Forty-one years of Affirmative Action does not rectify over 100 years of discrimination," Allen said.

Allen will be at SVSU on Oct. 24 as part of the second discussion on the Initiative held at 7 p.m in the Alan W. Ott Auditorium.

University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman delivered the evening's keynote address, discussing the importance of affirmative action and diversity.

"I would say to (students) that we need to embrace diversity and our differences," Coleman said. "It is so important that you value those relationships. You need to share your stories because your experiences matter in order to build a better society."

Coleman closed out her speech by addressing the NAACP.

"We cannot do this alone. Your organization plays a vital role in advocating social justice and speaking for those whose voices too often are not heard. You stood with the University of Michigan in our legal fight for affirmative action, and we will always value that partnership.”