GAC staff member decries threats to affirmative action Says the Louisville office has ‘eliminated’ the word ‘qualified’ from employment criteria By Parker T. Williamson The Presbyterian Layman Nov/Dec, 1997 SAN ANTONIO – General Assembly Council Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity officer Lillian Anthony told the Council that she was concerned about an ugly mood in America that could roll back gains made on behalf of minorities. “You all know about what is happening in California,” she said. Anthony expressed pride in the fact that the Presbyterian Church (USA) has strongly endorsed affirmative action policies, both in its own hiring practices and in the political sphere. She decried reversals of such policies by the California electorate and the fact that judicial challenges to the voters’ decision have not prevailed. Anthony called on Presbyterian leaders to be aware of “code words,” that are used by people with a discriminatory mindset, and she urged them not to employ such words. One such word that Anthony said her office had “eliminated” in Louisville is “qualified.” She also said she takes issue with employers who raise the subject of “experience” when considering an applicant for a job. Anthony explained that if a person has been excluded for reasons of race, gender or sexual orientation, “of course they won’t be able to claim that they have had experience.” Anthony took particular umbrage at the phrase “reverse racism,” asking, “where did that term come from?” She also complained about publicity surrounding Tiger Woods, expressing concern that his media image was not good for minority people. But she focused her most vociferous protest on the United States Postal Service for its recent release of a doll collection stamp series. She said that the first stamp in the collection depicted “the stereotype of Black Dolls.” At the conclusion of Anthony’s speech, she moved about the room showcasing a picture of the doll collection stamp series with expressions of dismay and indignation. The GAC official said that Presbyterians must work hard not to allow a rollback of affirmative action policies. She said that the denomination’s policies “were designed to include all persons, regardless of age, disability, marital status, racial ethnic group or sex and to correct any existing patterns of discrimination.” She reported employee concerns that “they are having to go to too many places to file a complaint,” and she urged the GAC to improve the “complaint processing system.” Anthony urged denominational leaders to be “vigilant to increase the church’s efforts to enforce existing laws and policies by expanding efforts to end systemic discrimination, racism, sexism, and [by] challenging multiple discrimination.” She encouraged “strengthened coordination throughout the church and its corporations as a way for furthering the effort.” |
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