Will on ‘Racial Spoils System’
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The truth about “affirmative action” is that we’ve always had it. It’s not a new-fangled liberal idea to help minorities, as many claim.
The “old boy network”--nepotism, cronyism, member-of-the-club and alumni-ism to help favored sons--was the most successful affirmative action program ever devised. The only difference is the recipients of this affirmative action were wealthy white males . . . and still are! Do you think J. Danforth Quayle got ahead on “merit”?
The question is not whether we will love “affirmative action,” but who it will benefit. Why not give minorities and women a chance?
JOANNE MURPHY
Los Angeles
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