Richard Grayson letter in New York Times: "We Won't Get Far Without Affirmative Action"

Today, Friday, July 28, 1995, Richard Grayson has a letter in the New York Times, "We Won't Get Far Without Affirmative Action":

We Won't Get Far Without Affirmative Action

To the Editor:

I agree with Andrew Sullivan's contention in "Let Affirmative Action Die" (Op-Ed, July 23) that the huge discrepancy between the scores of black and white candidates for admission to law schools is a result of the neglect of public education in the inner cities and not due to systemic racism on the part of law schools.

Mr. Sullivan is undoubtedly correct that the fundamental solution lies in tackling serious social problems, not in affirmative action policies. But even in a time of liberal ascendancy, such solutions would take years to produce results.

What are those who have been hobbled by what Jonathan Kozol has called "savage inequalities" supposed to do in the meantime?

Mr. Sullivan cites the University of Texas Law School, which would have admitted only nine black applicants to its 1992 entering class of 500 students on test scores alone. The other black students Texas admitted got in under a standard different from that of white applicants.

Yet I'm willing to bet that nearly all of the black students admitted in 1992 graduated three years later, and most will go on to successful legal careers. I don't see how locking out such students while we wait for the day when social and educational inequities are abolished will benefit a racially diverse society.

As a white male who last year graduated from a state law school that has made a serious effort to attract minority students, I feel I have benefited from affirmative action. Having a substantial number of nonwhite classmates and professors who could supply a different perspective from my own greatly enhanced my legal education.

Test scores should not always be the sole criteria for law school admission. My test scores would not have qualified me for admission to law school at the University of Florida, but I got in based on other factors -- such as experience in the business world, academia or the military -- under which a number of other white males were also admitted.

RICHARD GRAYSON
Gainesville, Fla., July 23, 1995

The writer is with the Center for Governmental Responsibility, University of
Florida College of Law.

Richard Grayson Advice Column in Orlando Sentinel

Richard Grayson has an advice column in the Orlando Sentinel today (Saturday, July 8, 1995).

Richard Grayson Op-Ed Column in Gainesville Sun: "Paddling Will Not Cure Schools"

The Gainesville Sun today (Saturday, June 22, 1995) has an op-ed column by Richard Grayson, "Paddling Will Not Cure Schools."

New Orleans Times-Picayune column item on SOUTHERN LIGHTS: The PEN South Literary Review

The "Write Stuff" book column in the Times Picayune of New Orleans today, Sunday, May 28, 1995, has an item on Southern Lights, the literary review of PEN American Center South, the New Orleans-based chapter of the international writers' organization, edited by Skye Kathleen Moody and featuring work by Richard Grayson, Steven Kellman, June Akers Seese, Robert Phillips, Lisa Kahn, Sergei Task, Raymond Schroth, Andrew Horton and others.

Los Angeles Times column covers Richard Grayson's political action committee

The Los Angeles Times today (Thursday, May 25, 1995) has a column on page A5 discussing Richard Grayson's political action committee:

WASHINGTON INSIGHT

By ALAN C. MILLER and ELIZABETH SHOGREN



LIFE FORMS: For those who fear American election campaigns boil down to a scramble for the center, there is this bit of proof from Federal Election Commission records that life exists, if only marginally, at the political extremes. On the far right: The political action committee Americans for Fascism filed a statement from its headquarters in Branchville, N.J., reporting income and expenses for the third quarter of 1994 (a grand total of $380). On the far left: Richard Grayson from Gainesville, Fla., filed a statement of candidacy for Congress last year identifying his campaign committee as God Hates Republicans, a title that led inevitably to this question: If that were true, why did Grayson receive just 152votes as a write-in candidate for the seat won by Rep. Michael Bilirakis, a Republican?

New Jersey Online Features Richard Grayson's Latest "Only in Jersey" Column

Richard Grayson's "Only in Jersey" column at New Jersey Online this week (April 27, 1995) features M&M candies, a cross-dressing governor, and the fungus that ate the Meadowlands. Every week NJ Online columnist Richard Grayson surfs for the latest, state-of-the-weird New Jersey oddities.

pLopLop #8 features Richard Grayson's story "This Planet Is Overrated"

Richard Grayson's story, "This Planet Is Overrated," appears in issue #8 of the antholozine pLopLop, published by Geekspeak Unique Press. Other contributors include Kevin Sampsell, Fielding Dawson, Hal Sirowitz, John Clark, Kit Andis and Antler.

Richard Grayson letter in The New York Times: "Senate Would Bar a Longer House Term"

Richard Grayson has a letter in the New York Times today (December 27, 1994): "Senate Would Bar a Longer House Term."

Columbus Dispatch profiles Richard Grayson in "Bookends" Column

The Columbus Dispatch today (Sunday, November 27, 1994) features a Bookends column by Dispatch book critic George Myers Jr. on Richard Grayson. The arts section page one teaser for the article: "Fiction writer Richard Grayson finds a second career -- one with more notability -- by lampooning the press and the nation's fascination with celebrity."

Richard Grayson column in Orlando Sentinel: "Nothing Like a Matinee on Sundays"

Richard Grayson has a column in the Orlando Sentinel today (Saturday, November 12, 1994): "Nothing Like a Matinee on Sundays."

Florida Dollar Stretcher, African-American newspaper, endorses Richard Grayson for Congress

The African-American newspaper The Florida Dollar Stretcher today (Thursday, November 3, 1994) endorsed Richard Grayson for Congress. Grayson is running as a write-in candidate in Florida's Ninth Congressional District.

Tampa Tribune reports on Richard Grayson's Campaign for Florida's Ninth Congressional District U.S House Seat

The Tampa Tribune today (Friday, October 21, 1994) reports on Richard Grayson's write-in campaign for the Florida Ninth Congressional District U.S House seat held by Rep. Michael Bilirakis.

Richard Grayson, Write-in Candidate for Congress in Florida's Ninth Congressional District, Answers League of Women Voters' Questions in Tampa Tribune, August 28, 1994

Tampa National Organization for Women Political Action Committee (Tampa NOW PAC) Endorses Richard Grayson for Congress

The Tampa National Organization for Women Political Action Committee (Tampa NOW PAC) today (August 22, 1994) announced its endorsement of Richard Grayson for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's Ninth Congressional District.

Richard Grayson reports on Legislators in Love Scandal in Miami Herald's TROPIC Magazine

Richard Grayson reports on his involvement in Florida's Legislators in Love scandal in the Miami Herald's TROPIC Magazine this Sunday (August 7, 1994).