The inauguration of George W. Bush has marked a new era of change and challenge, especially for all those who believe in affirmative action and cultural inclusion. The Bush attitude toward race-conscious remedies for past exclusion is clear. Quotas are divisive, they're not united.
Quotas give people an excuse for failure.
Quotas give people an excuse for blaming others. As governor of Texas, Bush created a program that allows the admission of the top 10 percent of all high school seniors to college and bans the use of race as a factor in admissions. Vice President Al Gore, who got more votes than Mr. Bush, strongly supported affirmative action, including the use of race as a factor in granting government contracts, making job appointments, and admitting students. The Bush position also contrasts starkly with that expressed by Gen. Colin Powell, whom he designated as his secretary of state. Despite the impressive progress we have made over the last 40 years to overcome this legacy of our troubled past, it is still with us.