Professor Crenshaw Discusses Presidential Candidates’ Views on Affirmative Action on the Tavis Smiley Show

On April 7, 2008, Professor Kimberle Crenshaw appeared on the Tavis Smiley Show to discuss the 2008 presidential candidates’ support for Affirmative Action programs.  Before revealing the stance on affirmative action held by each candidate, Crenshaw and television host Tavis Smiley engaged in a conversation illuminating the deceptive tactics that Ward Connerly and other anti-affirmative action proponents are using to put an end to already-existing affirmative action programs in many states. 

Crenshaw highlights that the largest deception utilized by anti-affirmative action  proponents is the misuse of language. Unlike those who stood against the civil rights movements in the past, today’s opponents are no longer blatantly stating that they are against the movement.  Instead, they have crafted deceptive language, calling their proposal to end affirmative action programs in many states the "civil rights initiative."  The deception employed by Connerly and his supporters are vastly misleading voters across all five states facing anti-affirmative action ballot measures. 

In addition to the deception, the campaign to end affirmative action is plagued with dishonesty.  She notes that in Oklahoma, there were large amounts of fraudulent signatures in order to put the "civil rights initiative" on the ballot. In many cases, the same person is signing the initiative more than once in hopes of seeing it on the upcoming ballot.

To listen to the rest of her segment with Tavis Smiley, please click here.

For more information regarding the show, please click below:
Tavis Smiley Show.

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