January 21, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Glenn Landstrom
Phone: 517-643-5514
E-mail: glandstrom[at]xivfoundation[dot]org

 

Gratz Calls Black Student Union’s Racial Demands Unconstitutional and Patently Wrong
Threats of ‘Physical Action’ a Terrible Way to Honor the Legacy of MLK

NATIONAL – On Monday, the Black Student Union at the University of Michigan celebrated Martin Luther King Day by laying down an ultimatum – meet their seven demands addressing diversity on campus or face ‘physical action.’ Exactly what their threat entails, no one is quite sure, but U-M officials were apparently given a week to meet the demands before things get physical. These demands include more money for racially-segregated clubs, a racial quota system for admissions, special treatment for housing, and scholarships that exclude other ethnicities. Jennifer Gratz, CEO of the XIV Foundation, was dismayed by the rhetoric on both sides of the negotiating table.

“Of all days to demand that a public institution treat people differently based solely on skin color and threaten ‘physical action’ if demands aren’t met, Martin Luther King Day has to be one of the worst,” said Gratz after learning about the incident. “Dr. King painted a bold vision of a colorblind future; groups like this pine for the stale, vicious cycle of preferences and discrimination.”

Gratz pointed out that University officials are far from blameless in this matter. “University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman has done everything in her power to undermine restrictions on race and gender preferences in education, including calling for a lawsuit against Michigan’s constitutional ban on affirmative action” (now being deliberated at the Supreme Court). “Every step of the way, the University has opposed the right of individuals to be treated equally and encouraged radical groups to protest for racial policies.”

“The students making these demands and University officials are waging a losing battle to preserve tired policies the vast majority of Americans have already rejected,” Gratz stated. “Both should reject violence and threats of ‘physical action’ and, instead, embrace true equality by recognizing that each person deserves to be treated as a unique individual, not as a racial token.”

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The XIV Foundation is dedicated to the principle that equal treatment is the essence of civil rights and that all people are entitled to civil rights. Jennifer Gratz challenged racial discrimination in the admissions policy at the University of Michigan and won at the U.S. Supreme Court (Gratz v. Bollinger). She spearheaded the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative and is the co-founder and CEO of the XIV Foundation.