The American people are a fair people. They overwhelmingly view race preferences as discriminatory and believe in merit-based competition among qualified individuals of all backgrounds. Thus they embrace the original meaning and intent of affirmative action.

Unfortunately, the now synonymous use of “affirmative action” and “race preferences” has clouded the public’s understanding of the issue. The pro-preference movement has used that lack of clarity to mislead the electorate, in that it has viciously portrayed Ward Connerly’s race-neutral referenda as a means to ending merit-based affirmative action.

I think it vital that the American Civil Rights Institute and its supporters embark on a media campaign (presentations, op-ed pieces, blogging, etc.)that highlights the antithetical nature of race preferences and affirmative action. Debunking the myth that the terms are one and the same should diminish the demagoguery of the pro-preference forces and ensure passage of future race-neutral referenda by a wider margin.

As regards President Obama, I believe he will support some form of socio-economic affirmative action, but I doubt that he will endorse an end to race preferences. This principled battle for genuine equality will be left to Mr. Connerly and to those who share his cause.