Ban on Affirmative Action Petitions Are Being Circulated in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska

The Wording is Such that These Petitions Appear to Be for Affirmative Action but that is False

Nebraskans United Together for Opportunity is a group of concerned citizens that has the backing of many community groups, educational institutions and faith partners. These partners have banded together in order to deal with a proposed ban on affirmative action in Nebraska. There is an amendment to Nebraska's Constitution that is being circulated by the "Civil Rights Initiative."

This group is not from Nebraska and has brought in paid workers to get the necessary signed petitions to get this amendment on Nebraska's ballot for the November election. The deadline for the petition is July 4. 10 percent of the population has to sign to get it on the ballot. 38 of the counties have to have 5 or more percent of their people sign the petition.

The language in the amendment includes prohibiting discrimination and prohibiting preferential treatment. The problem has to do with the idea of no longer granting preferential treatment. This would end affirmative action. Many current programs in Nebraska would be ended because of this. This includes scholarships based on gender and race. When amendments like these were put in place in other states, there was a loss of diversity in their schools.

Nebraskans United Together for Opportunity has a long list of organizations that support them because of these concerns. The growing list includes the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Omaha Public Schools, the YWCA and the University of Nebraska.

I am a Geography Teacher at Metropolitan Community College. This college supports the Nebraskans United Together for Opportunity because Metropolitan Community College supports diversity. As a geography teacher, I understand how important diversity is in helping humans understand different cultures and ideas.

There has been a need for science and math majors as well as nurses in the United States. This amendment would stop efforts to recruit women, men, and other minorities from educating themselves in ways that could only help the United States.