Ricci v. Destafano; Civil Rights at the Forefront
The New Haven, Connecticut Fire Department has the entire legal world abuzz.
NPR: Supreme Court Hears Fire Fighter Promotion Case
World Mag: Supreme Court Tackles Race (again)
Connecticut Law Tribune: New Haven Race Case Inspires Vigorous Debate
From the looks of it, this Supreme Court case will leave many unsettled stomachs. No matter the side of the fence you stand, this quintessential race case will shake the foundations of both. The question seems to be discriminatory intent or Disparate Impact? The Civil Rights Act of 1964 preceeds my opinion. It should not be what is best for those black firemen but it is what is best for the sovereignty of law. The Equal Protection Clause has been used as grounds for plaintiffs and defendants for decades but even after 45 years, the question remains, “Equal Opportunity” or “Equal Outcome?”
Opportunity has to be met with preparedness, true, and Equal Outcome has failed occasionally in the past but where should the Supreme Court draw the line? Where should other African-American starved organizations draw the line when the issue of black membership arises?
I glanced over some recent posts on the Coast Guard Report and there is similar conversation in the comments section of, “Connecting the Dots: Appendix C to the Booz Allen Hamilton Report on Coast Guard Civil Rights.”
It would serve the Coast Guard well to have a case like this in the national spotlight. Sometimes Civil Rights issues need to be thrust upon an organization to force resolution. With the break down of the CG office of Civil Rights and the special attention profferred by Congressman Elijah Cummings, it seems as though now may be that time.
[…] Posted by staff on April 22, 2009 By Webster Smith at Friends of Webster […]
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