Condoleezza Rice on Affirmative Action
TL;DR
Condoleezza Rice believes race is an appropriate factor for achieving student body diversity, though race-neutral means are preferable.
Key Points
She publicly stated in January 2003 that using race as one factor among many for student body diversity is appropriate.
While serving as provost at Stanford, she acknowledged being a beneficiary of the university's affirmative action strategy for faculty hiring.
She strongly opposed considering race or gender in faculty tenure decisions, despite supporting it for admissions and initial hiring.
Summary
Condoleezza Rice's position on Affirmative Action has been characterized as centrist or lukewarm, though she acknowledged being a beneficiary of race and gender preferences during her academic career at Stanford University. While serving as National Security Adviser, she publicly stated that it is appropriate to use race as one factor among others to achieve a diverse student body, though she simultaneously asserted that race-neutral means are preferable. This nuanced stance created a distinction between her view and that of the President she served, who at the time joined a legal challenge against racial preferences at the University of Michigan.
She has expressed a belief in the necessity of affirmative action to remedy past underrepresentation of minorities and women, stating that universities should use every means necessary to diversify faculty. However, her support has boundaries; for instance, she opposed using race or gender preferences when granting faculty tenure decisions, preferring to look outside established networks and hiring patterns. Rice has framed the issue as delicate, emphasizing that the key is looking for good prospects where they might not ordinarily be found, rather than lowering standards.
Key Quotes
"I believe that while race-neutral means are preferable, it is appropriate to use race as one factor among others in achieving a diverse student body,"
"I believe that while race-neutral means are preferable, it is appropriate to use race as one factor among others in achieving a diverse student body."
Frequently Asked Questions
Condoleezza Rice supports the use of race as one factor among many in college admissions to ensure student body diversity, though she maintains that race-neutral methods are the preferred approach. She stated this position even when it differed from the administration she served in at the time.
Her position has remained relatively consistent since the early 2000s, emphasizing a 'centrist' view that accepts race-conscious measures as necessary but secondary to race-neutral solutions. She has always acknowledged personally benefiting from affirmative action in her own career.
The National Security Adviser said it is appropriate to use race as one factor among others when aiming for a diverse student body. She made this statement while simultaneously agreeing with the President's opposition to the specific Michigan plan because it went too far.
Sources4
Rice Weighs In On Affirmative Action - CBS News
Say it Plain, Say it Loud: A Century of Great African American Speeches. Condoleezza Rice Speech to National Council of Negro Women
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN THE WHITE | Washington Monthly
Condoleezza Rice on Civil Rights - OnTheIssues.org
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.