Affirmative Action

Hugh Price (Urban League): Blacks Need Self-Reliance

Some black organizations are beginning to emphasize economic achievement, rather than quotas, as the road to true racial equality. One such organization is the National Urban League -- with 114 affiliates in 34 states and more than two million members.

Its national leader, Hugh Price, recently expressed these thoughts:

  • When blacks were released from rural slavery, they started colleges and businesses, and in the city they established barber shops, grocery stores and hotels to serve their own communities.

  • These self-help economic endeavors came to pass under the leadership of Booker T. Washington -- a tireless advocate of education and promoter of black economic independence.

  • The traditional civil rights movement was about knocking down barriers and pushing into employment and politics -- rather than focusing on becoming full-time players in the economy.

Price supports the charter school movement and voucher schools -- characterizing urban public schools as failures.

Source: Jason L. Riley, "Return to Self-Reliance," Wall Street Journal, August 13, 1997.

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