The Supreme Court is now hearing arguments on whether race should play a factor in admissions for colleges, including the University of Michigan, where the case originated. Colleges across the nation are wrestling with different opinions on this issue, and The University of Memphis is no exception.
The U of M chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) distributed fliers on Affirmative Action to individuals in front of the University Center Tuesday. The chapter also organized a gathering of students who sang the first stanza of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” in front of the UC.
Katrina Heard Smith, U of M minority affairs coordinator, said they passed out fliers to “put information out there for students so they can be aware of what is going on.”
The national NAACP headquarters made the fliers in support of Affirmative Action and the University of Michigan’s Affirmative Action diversity program, however the Memphis chapter is not taking a stand on the issue.
“I’m in support of Affirmative Action personally,” said Brandon Addison, a member of the NAACP. “However, we as an organization can’t take a stand on it.”
Addison said he is in favor of keeping Affirmative Action because “in certain parts of the country there are still racial divides when it comes to being admitted to certain schools.”
The NAACP joined other civil rights, religious and academic groups for an all day rally Tuesday in front of the Supreme Court in support of the University of Michigan’s Affirmative Action plan that has been opposed by President George Bush.
Junior pre-med major Anu Adeosun participated in the organized gathering.
“Most blacks wouldn’t be where they are now if it wasn’t for Affirmative Action,” she said.
One NAACP official said she believed the group’s efforts made a difference Tuesday.
“If it increases (students’) awareness and knowledge of the situation at hand, that in itself has accomplished many goals,” said Almeta Ellis, political actions chair for the Memphis chapter of the NAACP. “If it makes people want to take a stand and do something about what is going on that is even better.
“The U of M chapter of the NAACP has done their part and has made a great step in the advancement of minorities.”
The group will continue distributing flyers at the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity’s 2nd Annual Gorilla Thrilla Stepshow, which begins Friday at 7 p.m. in Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
