One of the ways preference proponents rally opposition to measures like Amendment 46 is to use emotion-laden rhetoric.
“This anti-affirmative action measure will end summer science camp for girls!”
What Amendment 46 would do is prevent public funds from being used to sponsor events and support policies that discriminate against and grant preferential treatment to people based on race and sex. In that regard, Amendment 46 would prevent the use of tax dollars to grant preferential treatment to girls in summer science camp programs.
As Colorado Civil Rights Initiative president Jessica Peck Corry says, “The programs can still go on, they just can’t grant preferential treatment if they take state tax dollars.” (Rocky Truth Patrol)
Preferences proponent Melissa Hart, a University of Colorado law school faculty member, said: “If you say it has to be gender neutral or it can’t get public funding, either way, you’re eliminating the original program.”
If the program depends on tax dollars, Hart is correct. If the program ends, so be it. The point is that the government should not be using public funds to discriminate against people based on race or sex for any reason, not even to fund a summer science program for members of an underrepresented group.
I’m 99 percent certain, however, that plenty of private donors are more than willing to fund such programs.
(Photo source: Sally Ride Science Camps)
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