January 12, 2001

Who Really Benefits From Affirmative Action, and Does It Help Society as a Whole?

To the Editor:

I had very mixed reactions to William Darity Jr.'s comments on affirmative action ("Give Affirmative Action Time to Act," The Review, December 1). As an African-American, I of course lament the chronic persistence of racism and discrimination. But a demand that affirmative-action programs be kept in place for a minimum of 100 years? Dr. Darity seems to have very little faith in the ability of blacks to succeed by our own devices, which I find rather demeaning.

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