Connerly spoke out against affirmative action, arguing that "preferences on the basis on race are wrong, morally and constitutionally wrong." He argued that racial preferences have no place in American life and law and that equality should extend to everyone. "Civil rights aren't just for black people, it's for everyone," said Connerly, "We are a nation of people who believe that we are created by a supreme being. We are given a set of rights, rights that are given to us as individuals, and not as members of a group."
Connerly quoted Thurgood Marshall when speaking of distinctions of color as being "evil and invidious." He told the audience that racial preferences ultimately stigmatize the very people they are meant to help. "You only give something to me if you think I don't deserve it. You think that I ought to be grateful to you for you giving it to me. That's the reality. Preferences on the basis of race marginalize people," said Connerly. He argued that programs like affirmative action imply that minorities don't deserve what they attain. In particular, he cited the example of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, who some believe was appointed to the Bush administration solely because of her race, despite her notable qualifications. "Why must we presume that it was given to her?" asked Connerly.
He then went on to say that he wanted to eliminate all racial classifications."I want us to move away from a very race-based society to one where race has no place," said Connerly.
Throughout the forum, Connerly reiterated his premise of equality. "I want to tell people to look at me as an equal. My government ought to treat me as an equal," he said. "Throughout our history, we have been trying to get it right, to evolve this culture of equality, a culture without regard to race, color or creed."
Connerly noted that it was necessary to keep some form of affirmative action but a system should be made on the basis of income disparities.
On the opposite side, Hacker defended affirmative action, noting that it was as "American as apple pie." He noted that preference based decisions have been used for legacies, geographical diversity and athletes. "'Preferences' has always been the name of the game," said Hacker.
He also argued that affirmative action provides enhanced diversity. "I believe that ethnic and racial diversity is a big benefit for any institution ... A variety of backgrounds help the tenor and texture of education," said Hacker.
To demonstrate the value of diversity in any conversation, Hacker cited Virginia v. Black, a case involving a Virginia law that imposed harsher sentences against perpetrators of hate crimes. "While all of the white justices spoke about freedom of expression under the First Amendment, it was only Clarence Thomas who noted that burning the cross has no other purpose, no communicative value, other than to cause fear and to terrorize the black population," said Hacker.
Hacker also argued that affirmative action is necessary to counteract racism. Hacker cited the example of Colin Powell, one of few supporters of affirmative action in the Bush administration, who acknowledged that, in part, his life-long success has been due to affirmative action.
Hacker argued for its necessity by noting that blacks have a different "intellectual style" from whites, so that the normal indices that universities use do not adequately account for all the great things that blacks can contribute.
"Affirmative action is really directed towards getting a decent African-American level," said Hacker. He argued that Asians and Hispanics are not really part of the dialogue on affirmative action because they have largely been "co-opted" into the white race as "probationary whites."
The turnout for the forum was high. Connerly also noted that "All of the students were very civil. On many college campuses they don't know how to handle a discussion on race. Amherst is an exception-the people here were very enlightened and balanced," said Connerly.