During my years on Cincinnati City Council, I observed a game in which “stakeholders” used race to leverage money and other concessions from the city. The script never changed: poverty professionals representing the Baptist Ministers Conference, NAACP, and other organizations show up at Council meetings alleging that the city was discriminating against African Americans. The proof behind these charges was weak or nonexistent, and their numbers were always fuzzy. Demands usually included funding some program operated by the leaders of the protest. Council members invariably caved in, fearing the consequences at the next election.
This month, the same scenario played out again. NAACP President Christopher Smitherman stood in front of the cameras claiming that Cincinnati Public Schools was engaging in “economic apartheid.” He demanded that $300 million of CPS’ $1.07 billion school construction work go to African American companies – which would amount to 80% of the remaining dollars on the project. He and Rev. Dock Foster, President of the Baptist Ministers Conference, threatened to oppose future school levies if their demands weren’t met. Foster said he would “shut down” construction projects if the numbers don’t improve.
Typically, CPS Superintendent Mary Ronan cowered at Smitherman’s feet, promising to require general contractors hired by the district to hire minority-owned subcontractors. School board members criticized their own administration and past school boards for “not doing enough.”
My experience has been that this issue of giving government business to minority-owned companies is a phony from the get-go. In many cases, the minority-owned company is just a pass-through set up by a large majority-owned company that wants the business and does the work. Construction company owners have told me that these rules increase the cost of projects by 10-20%.
This week, our country honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Awarding government contracts on the basis of race is the opposite of Dr. King’s dream.
Any employer who discriminates ought to be nailed to the wall. But otherwise, let’s practice equal opportunity and give public business to the lowest and best bidder, regardless of race.
This article about playing the race card is very sad. I work for a minorty owned engineering company. We are not a pass through and it is very difficult to compete against the comapanies that are usaualy selected with long standing relationships. It is sad to know Mr. Heimlich supports this playing the race card view. We are just as qualified and committed as a firm and the disadvantge status is not about race but about opportunity where otherwise, we wouldn’t have one
Mary,
I appreciate your point of view, but if your company is just as qualified as a majority owned company, you should be able to compete based on price and service – as opposed to getting special help from the government. We live in a free-market democracy – everybody is equal. That’s the message of Dr. King, and we should live up to it.
Seems the CPS is close to being dead on, by population, in their spending regarding African American contractors. But what are their percentages for Aisian, Hispanic etc, as the US population is comprised as follows:
67% European Americans
15% Hispanic Americans of any race (includes undocumented)
13% African Americans
4% Asian Americans(Chinese, Indians, etc.)
1% Native Americans
Ed,
I guess my position is who cares how many of each minority group are hired, as long as contracts are given out to the most qualified, without regard to race or ethnicity.
Phil
Phil, I really agree and applaud your bold, fearless and truthful stance here. Dr. King didn’t want want the “entitlement mentality”. He wanted the only race we see is the human-race. That includes people of color. They should not forget their heritage, but I think it’s wrong to try and benefit monetarily because you belong to a group or have a lineage that has a history of being oppressed. I think if you keep going back in history far enough, you’ll find that every race, sex, religion can find ancestors that were unfairly treated.
I know we have to be on the watch and punish those who seek to discriminate based on sex, color or religion. But if we offer handouts to people based on their sex, color or religion, are not any better than those discriminating? I do understand that sometimes people, who have been held back, need a bump in the right direction, a helping hand to get started. That should be offered to ANYONE who can show that they truly need help and want to help contribute to their own rescue.
Thank you for taking a different path. Please continue to be voice of reason. I’ll pray for you and those you are helping.
Damon Dawson
Thanks, Damon. I think, fortunately, we have arrived at a point in this country where we no longer need to create special entitlements to make up for past injustices. It’s time mainstream media sources like the Enquirer started speaking out against the kind of pressure the NAACP and Baptist Ministers Conference is exerting against CPS.
Phil
Race should play no part in hiring or giving positions at any businesses or colleges. Quotas are stupid and give the city, county, state or country less than what they are paying and perhaps a bad job or even theft of tax monies. A person’s ability or company’s ability should be the only factor in making these decisions. It’s all part of the give me or you owe me ideas and it violates the 10th amendment of a “TAKING”. Taking from someone and giving to others. It is illegal according to the constitution and government officials at all levels should be taken to court and imprisioned if they become subject to this practice. The business owners, NAACP, Jesse Jackson and his ilk should also be imprisioned as they do nothing for the greater good of a city, county, state or country other than empower themselves to receive more illgotten gains from stupid people who hand out these contracts or positions.
John,
I don’t agree with the imprisoning part – everyone is entitled to their point of view. I do agree that we have to move past the Jesse Jackson school of intimidation and get rid of quotas, set-asides, etc. People should be hired and contracts let based on merit. Period.
Phil
When people who cannot achieve on their own are in proximity to those who do,they will forever demand to share in the success.At this time in our history white people do not have the resolve to say no. Until and unless we do, our country will continue to regress. I think my friend Rudyard Kipling had it right. You might look to Walter Williams to have your back. A man of insight and courage. If you continue to tell it like it is , I will be proud to support you in any future campaign.
Gary,
I don’t think this should be put in terms of white v. black. As you mention, there are outstanding African American commentators, such as Walter Williams, who have consistently opposed quotas, set-asides, etc. I have had Dr. Williams to speak here in Cincinnati. His philosophy is exactly right.
Phil
The latest complaint of CPS’ hiring practices was based on a drive-by view of a work site where no ‘dark’ faces could be seen. It wasn’t based on a detailed study of the actual ownership of the contractors contracted to do the work and the value of their contracts. Also, maybe those ‘light’ faces were working for minority contractors. The law says to contract with minority contractors. If they have less than a certain number of employees they do not have to hire any minority workers.