Does The Misnamed Michigan Civil Rights Initiative End Preferences ?

No. 

This constitutional amendment does not establish a meritocracy in all public employment, education, or contracting. 

It will not end preferences based on cronyism, nepotism, or favoritism in hiring, college admissions, or awarding contracts.

In college admissions, preferences based on athletic ability, alumni status of parents, donations to the university, graduation from certain high schools, residency in certain counties or states, and other non-merit factors can continue.

In government hiring, preferences based on the applicant’s friendship with the boss, relationship with an important client, veteran status, seniority, and other non-merit factors can continue.

Preferences of various kinds are a fact of life.  Which preferences we keep and which we ban involves choices and decisions.

MCRI ends only the kinds of “preferences” that have helped minorities and women to have an equal opportunity to succeed in public employment, education, and contracting.

MCRI targets the programs that have helped eliminate the vestiges of discrimination in our country.  MCRI is a backlash measure designed to return us to the 50’s.