As a national leader in intergroup relations, with no singular constituency and concerned about all people, The National Conference for Community and Justice works to advance the goals of equality and justice. The National Conference for Community and Justice, founded as The National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ), has worked since 1927 to remedy the harmful effects of discrimination by fighting bias, bigotry and racism, and promoting understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education.
The creation of The National Conference for Community and Justice was the result of a rational response by leaders including Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo, social reformer Jane Addams, President Theodore Roosevelt and Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes to the growing and widespread bigotry against various racial, ethnic and religious groups.1 The primitive hatreds and xenophobia unleashed by World War I were harnessed by quasi- political organizations such as the American Protective Association and the Ku Klux Klan. Their venom was directed at Catholics, Jews, African-Americans and others. This crisis of conscience led men and women of goodwill to organize and support an effective counterforce, NCCJ. From its beginning, The National Conference for Community and Justice organized to stop such destructive groups from committing domestic terrorism and organizing hate campaigns that employed the slogan, "America for Americans" and labeling everything that they politically or morally opposed as "un-American."
For 75 years, The National Conference for Community and Justice has advanced its mission to fight bias, bigotry and racism. Our efforts stem from the belief that our nation is only strengthened by expanding the protections of equality to people who have traditionally been denied the basic privileges and opportunities of our nation.
NCCJ and Affirmative Action
Affirmative action is a term that summarizes measures by which the public, private and independent sectors remedy past and present discrimination and prevent future discrimination. It permits the consideration of race, national origin, gender and disability, along with other criteria, to provide opportunities to a group of qualified individuals who have either historically or actually been denied those opportunities. Affirmative action is a vehicle that helps to guarantee equal opportunity by its use of inclusive measures for under represented people in jobs, educational institutions and economic opportunities that have traditionally been denied to them. The National Conference for Community and Justice's survey, "Taking America's Pulse,"2 confirms that the majority of Americans favor equal opportunity for all.
Affirmative action permits the use of racial and gender-conscious measures to bring about equality of opportunity. As Justice Blackmun eloquently stated, "In order to get beyond racism, we must first take account of race. There is no other way. And in order to treat some persons equally, we must treat them differently. We cannot - we dare not - let the Equal Protection Clause perpetuate racial supremacy."3
The National Conference for Community and Justice's support of affirmative action dates back to the Johnson and Nixon Administrations' creation and implementation of these initiatives.4 Since the earliest days of affirmative action, The National Conference for Community and Justice actively began to seek ways for the organization to be more useful and effective in the battle for equal opportunity and racial justice. The National Conference for Community and Justice, working with organizations including the NAACP and the National Urban League, began to seriously address issues of equal opportunity and affirmative action as they related to labor-management relations. Our work in challenging segregationist policies contributed to the realization of historic gains in racial integration and opening opportunities and access for oppressed people. Furthermore, The National Conference for Community and Justice has been active in efforts to end the prevalent gender biases that pervade our nation. Our historic support of the Equal Rights Amendment further demonstrates our deep commitment to the achievement of gender parity.
The National Conference for Community and Justice's mission statement speaks to the heart of the racial and gender challenges currently facing the United States. The mission's call to "fight bias, bigotry and racism" and to "promote understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures" addresses affirmative action because affirmative action programs are a valuable tool in the continuing struggle to end past, current and future discrimination and achieve equality in jobs, education, and economic opportunity. The National Conference for Community and Justice was created to promote equal justice, treatment, and access for persons facing discrimination based upon their race, religion and ethnicity. Affirmative action is an instrument by which our mission statement can be achieved. It is a measured, effective response to discrimination designed to achieve real, not illusory, equality for women and people of color.
The National Conference for Community and Justice continues to strive to fulfill its mission of ensuring equality by doing what we do best: providing accurate information, creating an atmosphere for civic and civil discussion, and facilitating a process for action. The current national debate on affirmative action has become unnecessarily hostile and misinformed as to the continued need for and benefits of affirmative action. The National Conference for Community and Justice seeks to tone down the intense level of discord surrounding this issue, and guide this debate away from the extreme rhetoric of polarization to a place where we are able to civilly discuss affirmative action policies and programs.
NCCJ Principles and Policies Statement
The National Conference for Community and Justice is dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism in America and promoting understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education. In light of this profound mission, The National Conference for Community and Justice supports the vision of an inclusive America that created affirmative action three decades ago. The National Conference for Community and Justice's vision is centered in a societal norm that judges people not by a demographic category, but on their character and ability. Our goal is a nation where our great diversity is not looked upon as a liability, but as an asset that can be reinvested for the common good.
Affirmative action is arguably the most powerful instrument in the fight against gender and racial bias. In the last several decades, largely because of affirmative action programs, our nation has made significant strides toward providing access and opportunity that have resulted in women and people of color assuming new roles of leadership and authority in America. Affirmative action has created examples of success, inspired the young and shown the benefits a diverse workforce brings to corporate America. Yet, it is much too soon to declare victory over racial and gender bias. Despite major changes in our society, it is indisputable that a majority of the American population - women and people of color - is still facing serious discrimination in jobs, education, and economic opportunity.
Affirmative action benefits everyone, not just its immediate beneficiaries. People of color and women have made significant gains in jobs, economic opportunities and educational and other community institutions due largely to effective affirmative action programs in the public, private and independent sectors. Equally important, these programs convey the essential sense of hope that is embodied in our vision of affirmative action. Our vision sends the message to all persons that we, as a nation, will no longer be victims of insidious discrimination and that the fraud of racism, which has infected our society since its inception, will no longer be tolerated.
Discrimination of all too numerous types has been the most enduring and divisive element in this nation. It has restricted our development, our wholeness as a nation, and our common pursuit of the American dream. The vision of affirmative action must be maintained to end this destructive course. From their very inception, affirmative action programs set a new course that embraces the values of hope, access and equity for all.
In preparing this statement, The National Conference for Community and Justice has chosen to present a few key principles relating to equality and the value of diversity rather than supporting specific legislation, judicial precedents or other legal devices that address affirmative action. As a human relations organization, The National Conference for Community and Justice's primary objective is to help insure that all forms of bias, bigotry and racism are addressed as they affect the lives of people. The principles in this statement are fundamental points, but not an exhaustive list, to be considered in discussions relating to affirmative action and its meaning in America.
We believe that public, private and independent sector institutions engaged in a reexamination of affirmative action should consider the following principles and standards:
1. The National Conference for Community and Justice supports the expansion of affirmative action programs to actively include all persons who have been historically subordinated or denied opportunity and access, in order to create workforces and education systems that are representative of all colors, races, cultures, religions, beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, mental and physical ability, citizenship status, and economic status. Our call for inclusion stems from the belief that our nation is only strengthened by expanding the protection of equality to those who have traditionally been denied the basic privileges and opportunities of our nation.
2. The National Conference for Community and Justice supports affirmative action programs designed to achieve real equality for women and people of color in jobs, education and economic opportunity. We will continue to support programs that act as measured, effective responses to discrimination and empower women and people of color to have an equal opportunity in society.
3. The National Conference for Community and Justice supports efforts to overcome the existing shortcomings in affirmative action policies and to review such policies where relevant to enhance their effectiveness. The National Conference for Community and Justice advocates that the public, private and independent sectors renew efforts to develop effective affirmative action policies that assist those who have been excluded by racial or gender discrimination.
4. Until a viable and more effective policy alternative that serves as a broad-based strategy to combat the efforts of past and present discrimination is firmly in place, The National Conference for Community and Justice will continue to vigorously support the core principles and vision of affirmative action: equity and access in jobs, education, and economic opportunity.
5. The National Conference for Community and Justice prefers realistic goals and timetables in affirmative action plans, and opposes the use of quotas except in rare instances of court-ordered, short-term situations to remedy egregious discrimination in jobs, education and economic opportunity.
6. The National Conference for Community and Justice supports the development of new methods of bringing opportunity and access to populations that historically or currently have been denied the full privileges of equal protection under the law. We recognize that affirmative action, in and of itself, cannot bring equal opportunity to all. Despite this, affirmative action policies must be maintained to advance the creation and maintenance of workplaces and educational settings that are free of bias, bigotry and racism.
7. The National Conference for Community and Justice calls upon all leaders to depoliticize the national debate on affirmative action. We advocate constructive conversation on improving affirmative action.
The National Conference for Community and Justice supports the goal of a society where issues of race, ethnicity or gender are not factors for discrimination in any context. Unfortunately, we also recognize how far we, as a nation, must go to achieve this worthy goal. Our long history of using race and gender classifications to hold back entire groups and generations of Americans creates a tension when skin color, ethnicity, national origin or gender are used as criteria for opportunities and access.
The perception propagated by some that discrimination no longer exists or that the legal prohibitions imposed by the courts and Congress will eliminate gender and racial discrimination is inaccurate. Notwithstanding the substantial gains made by women and people of color, racism and sexism still obscure the inequity of the past and deny the burdens that history has placed upon people of color and women.
We acknowledge that there are imperfections in affirmative action programs as they are presently administered. Perceptions regarding "reverse discrimination" and feelings of inferiority felt by some beneficiaries of affirmative action warrant dialogue and corrective measures. However, these imperfections in affirmative action do not justify the elimination of affirmative action programs. We therefore support efforts to review such policies for the purposes of enhancing their effectiveness and fairness.
The survival of affirmative action programs has moved from being a reparation issue to an issue concerning the economic viability of our nation. People of color, women, and immigrants will have a major effect on the U.S. workplace in the coming years. The Hudson Institute's report, Workforce 2000,10 the Bureau of Labor Statistics' publication, Projections 2000,11 and the report of the Federal Glass Ceiling Commission,12 detail a future labor force with increasingly large numbers of women and people of color. We must stop thinking of affirmative action as programs that provide a preference for people of color and women and begin thinking in terms of our national economy. If an increasing percentage of our workforce will be African-American, Hispanic, Asian and female, then business, out of self- interest alone, must find ways to build on the momentum which has been achieved by affirmative action. We must see diversity as a commitment to reach out and include everyone in all aspects of American life.
Until a more effective tool to fight bias, bigotry and racism is developed, NCCJ stands firmly behind the continued use of affirmative action initiatives and remains dedicated to the expansion of opportunities and access for all. Abandoning the principles and vision that led to the creation of affirmative action would jeopardize progress made to date and restrict future gains by women and people of color, thereby hampering the Constitution's promise of equal opportunity for all. The outlawing of affirmative action would result in the loss of a necessary remedy in the ongoing struggle to end discrimination and to achieve equal opportunity in jobs, education and economic opportunity. Enhancing and expanding the vision of affirmative action programs in the public, private and independent sectors will renew the hopes and dreams of millions who share the vision of building community among our diverse peoples in order to make America a better place for all of us.
Recommendations for Strategic Actions by NCCJ
The basis for The National Conference for Community and Justice's strategic actions at the national and regional levels are an extension of our historic mission and our policy principles articulated about affirmative action. Within the mission and policy statement is the principle that must govern our actions in the community: equity, inclusion, and access.
Our recommendations propose the creation of more effective policies to advance the principle of equity, inclusion and access. The opportunity to move from conversations and dialogue into improvement in policy and legislation is the necessary corollary to the principle of inclusiveness in our strategic actions. It is recommended that:
1. The National Conference for Community and Justice, at every level, actively work to model equality in jobs, education and economic opportunity within our organization. We must apply the principles articulated in our affirmative action policy to our governance structures, programs, activities, and human resource practices.
2. This report should be disseminated to the leadership of The National Conference for Community and Justice, including The National Board of Advisers, regional boards and staff. Externally, appropriate portions of these materials should be distributed to congressional leaders, appropriate members of the executive branch of the federal government, state and local governments, corporate leadership, the independent sector and the media.
3. Regional boards and staff should become educated with relevant national and local issues surrounding affirmative action in order to effectively articulate its current relevance. NCCJ's National office should coordinate educational opportunities for executive directors and other leadership. These educational components might include: what affirmative action is and is not, debates and discussions with high level affirmative action opponents and proponents, effective methods for application of The National Conference for Community and Justice's initiatives, and strategies to advance conversation, understanding and inclusive legislation.
4. The National Board of Directors should urge all regional boards and staff to develop timely educational and advocacy processes to begin an informed conversation concerning affirmative action. Incorporated in this new conversation should be components for internal and external education about affirmative action that are future oriented and include ideas and strategies for program implementation.
5. NCCJ's National office should keep regional leaders informed of the most recent developments in affirmative action policies and judicial precedent at the federal, state, and local levels including the distribution of successful affirmative action polices developed by corporate and independent sector organizations.
6. Regions should provide pertinent state and local affirmative action developments to the National office in order to provide regional perspectives on affirmative action.
7. The National Conference for Community and Justice should access expertise in affirmative action and promote itself as a resource to the media, and public, private and independent sectors.
8. Regional offices should offer structured opportunities for civic and civil discussions. Among these opportunities could be public forums, workshops, and dialogue sessions, with an emphasis on increasing the quality and quantity of information on affirmative action, expanding community understanding about affirmative action as a method for enhancing equal access and opportunity, consensus building, and affirmative action policies and programs as they relate to the strategic plan and mission of The National Conference for Community and Justice.
Endnotes
1. "Aims to Harmonize National Groups," The New York Times, December 11, 1927, p. 1.
2. Taking America's Pulse: A Summary Report of The National Conference Survey on Inter- Group Relations, (1994), The National Conference.
3. University of California Regents v. Bakke, 438 U.S. 265, 407 (1978).
4. Unpublished History of The National Conference (publication date and author unknown). See also "The Story of the NCCJ," Robert A. Ashworth (1950); Adventures in Brotherhood, James E. Pitt (1955); NCCJ Evaluation Committee Report, Dr. Bernard Lander (1955); "The NCCJ - Its History, Its Leadership, Its Values and Its Task for the Future," Dr. Sterling Brown (1967); "NCCJ's Origins and Development During Its First Three Decades," Dr. Everett R. Clinchy (1980); American Jewish History, "The Establishment of The National Conference of Christians and Jews," Dr. Benny Kraut (1988).
5. Indicators of Equal Employment Opportunity - Status and Trends (1994). Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office of Communications.
6. The Status of Equal Opportunity in the American Workforce (1995). Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office of Communications. For a discussion of empirical evidence on earning gaps and discrimination for Hispanics, see Gregory DeFreitas, Inequality at Work: Hispanics in the U.S. Labor Force (1991). New York: Oxford Press.
7. Good for Business: Making Full Use of the Nation's Capital (March 1995). Federal Glass Ceiling Commission.
8. "U.S. Asians Earning Less Than Whites," Los Angeles Times, December 9, 1995.
9. See Blau, Francine, and Lawrence Kahr, (1994), "Rising Wage Inequality and the U.S. Gender Gap." American Economic Review 84:23-28, for a discussion of the large decline in male-female wage differentials that occurred from the mid 1970s to the late 1980s.
10. Workforce 2000 (1987). The Hudson Institute.
11. Projections 2000 (1988). Bureau of Labor Statistics.
12. Good for Business: Making Full Use of the Nation's Human Capital (March 1995). Federal Glass Ceiling Commission.
©2002 NCCJ, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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