The event was moderated by Dwight Lewis, columnist and regional editor at The Tennessean. The always-controversial Philip told the predominantly black audience that he thought affirmative action should be eliminated.
Affirmative action judges people by their race and discriminates against others based on their race.
That's what the civil rights movement was about. Last week, the outspoken school board member told a forum sponsored by animal rights activists that he couldn't oppose the selling of animals from the city pound for use in research by local universities until he got more information. McDonald, the only black candidate in attendance, also voiced disagreement with affirmative action. Purcell said affirmative action was still needed to address many problems. It's not yet time to declare victory.