Perlman: Ron Brown's comments do not represent NU

[knapplc]

And it's going to be just like any other equal rights law. It's going to be taken way overboard, and it will get so taken advantage of that it will just turn into another form of affirmative action. You'll quickly begin to see special treatment and certain folks getting jobs they simply do not deserve just because one is afraid they'll get turned in if they dont.

 

Dude, what are you talking about? This is an urban legend. Title VII didn't create some situation where unqualified people are rampantly being put in positions because of their color, sex, race, religion, etc. In fact, I'd argue that, today - in 2012 when we should all know better - people are discriminated against due to minority status in a greater per-capita percentage than non-minorities.

 

 

Affirmative Action is simply an ambiguous phrase set in larger laws that prohibit the behavior traditional definitions of AA assert. It is illegal to hire someone based on their color, sex, race, religion, disability, marital status, etc. This is a law, while "affirmative action" is not.

 

Companies have tried to implement "affirmative action" policies which mandate the hiring of minorities but they are by no means the norm, and if written into a policy the company would lose a discrimination lawsuit brought by a non-minority. (yes, discrimination laws cover non-minorities. They cover ALL workers in America)

 

DOL Affirmative Action compliance page

 

Note the language used: "The Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) enforces the Executive Order 11246, as amended; Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and the affirmative action provisions (Section 4212) of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended.Taken together, these laws ban discrimination and require Federal contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to ensure that all individuals have an equal opportunity for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran."

[Omaha-Husker]

Looks like Lincoln will tackle the same issue later this month. I wonder if Brown shows up.