We’ve Not Come A Long Way, Ladies. Equality At Work

One-On-One – Disagreeing on Affirmative Action – We’ve Not Come a Long Way, Ladies. Equality at Work – Then and Now – Did We Fail?

By Gloria Moraga

My casual one-on-one conversation with a young woman I mentored once upon a time when I worked at the University. This was when we had an impromptu conversation on Affirmative Action.

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OPEN

Affirmative Action – One-On-One.

I’m having a great conversation with a young friend.

Among other things, we were talking about her female posse. All the beautiful young women she knows and is friends with.

Her friends include a woman studying to be a doctor, a contractor who builds solar houses, and a cop studying for her law degree.

And I asked about the police officer. She had recently taken the exam for a promotion, from one rank to another.

This is a big deal in the life and career of a cop. And in 2021, with all the criticism spewing out because of a few lousy cops (I mean evil-killer cops). I believe it’s essential to support the good ones—especially friends or friends of friends. And, of course, women, cops, and women of color.

Oh, Oh! Is Affirmative Action a No-No Topic

So, I ask, “Is there an affirmative action program in the police department?”

I’m not going to name the police department or the name of the young woman we are talking about.

She responds, “Glo! Oh, no, she doesn’t want to get a job because of Affirmative Action. She wants to get it on her merit. Affirmative action is unfair. It’s wrong. No woman wants a job because of her color or her sex.”

Wow. Thoughts flood through my mind. And my career flashed before my eyes.

I, Gloria Moraga, could be the Poster Woman for Affirmative Action!

DEFINITIONS

Here is the guiding principle of Affirmative Action or Work Equity

https://definitions.uslegal.com/a/affirmative-action/

“The underlying motive for affirmative action is the Constitutional principle of equal opportunity, which holds that all persons have the right to equal access to self-development. In other words, persons with equal abilities should have equal opportunities.”

Here is the definition of affirmative action:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affirmative%20action

“An active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of minority groups and women sought to achieve a multicultural staff through affirmative action. a similar effort to promote the rights or progress of other disadvantaged persons.”

And finally, there is this:

https://www.definitions.net/definition/Affirmative%20Action

“Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including “race, color, religion, sex, or national origin” into consideration to benefit an underrepresented group “in areas of employment, education, and business.”

Was It a Mistake for Me to Mention Affirmation Action?

The two words ‘Affirmative Action’ are controversial, political, and emotional.

What is so wrong with providing equal opportunity for all. It’s in the Constitution.

Still, some males and non-minority groups. Okay, white men claim that  Affirmative Action is reverse discrimination. And to be fair, it’s not just white males who are anti-affirmative action.

I used to follow a young, professional video creator on the social media site LinkedIn. I received a text that she was “live” on the site, so I clicked over and heard her going on about how damaging the “Women’s Movement” is and was. How it is outdated and how it hurts women.

I was appalled. What do you know, you little punk? I screamed at the computer.

 I immediately unfollowed her. Why didn’t I stay and make public comments? Because it is impossible to change the minds of some dumb people.

Donald Trump and his Cult of Traitors taught me that much.

I can be emotional about Affirmative Action.

I don’t want to get emotional. But I feel pain in my heart because I know my young female friend really believes the words she is saying.

At the emotional level, I want to say, “Where did I go wrong? How can you say that when my career only happened because of affirmative action?”

It’s okay, I think; she really doesn’t know me that well. (To read about my work history, check out my “About Page https://gloriamoraga.com/home/about/)

I feel no shame in saying this.

I’m proud I could get the jobs I got.

I didn’t just “get” them because I was at the right place at the right time.

I got them because I worked to get them. And I didn’t give up.

It wasn’t easy because white males predominately ran companies in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.

Being the first at any job is not easy.

Succeeding is a miracle.

Do I mind talking about it? No F-ing way. That is why I am here.

Broadcast Television News hired very few women and almost no minorities when I was in college in the 70s.

I was coming of age in the 1960s when the Civil Rights Movement really began.

Civil Rights! I am amazed at how far we have not come in 2021.  

In fact, in 1969, the year before I graduated from Roosevelt High School in Fresno, California, the Federal Communication Commission began requiring broadcasters of a specific size to provide information about the recruitment, hiring, and promotion of women and minorities. The idea was that stations using the public airwaves should operate in the public interest, including recruiting a workforce reflective of the whole community.

What a concept. Huh? Put people of color and women on T.V.

So consumers could relate.

My Affirmative Action Connection

I graduated from San Francisco State in 1974; my degree was in Broadcast Communication Arts. I had been educated to work in television and radio. I trained at the college radio and television stations.

But I had no professional experience when I graduated.

By this time, five years after the original FCC ruling in 1979, the FCC was cracking down on stations.

The San Joaquin Valley had a sizeable American-Mexican population. And of course, half the population was female.

My first radio station, KMJ Radio, had never had a woman or a Latina on the air.

The reasons stations didn’t hire women or minorities were simple.

Women did not have good voices for radio. They did not look or sound good on television.

Companies used the same lame excuse to keep people of color from aspiring to or applying for broadcasting jobs/

So I ask you. Why did I get the job at KMJ Radio? Was it because of my silky voice or vast experience? No.

I got the job at KMJ Radio because they needed to hire a woman.

And yes, I know this because, during one of my meetings with station managers, they told me this.

I was embarrassed when they educated me. I was also hurt and humiliated.

Did it ever enter my mind not to take the job because I was a “token” woman?

Hell NO!

I was desperate.

I was poor.

I needed that job.

I worked hard.

I improved.

I moved up to the next job.

Did I get my first television news job because of affirmative action? Yes.

Just Getting A Foot in the Door – Job Equity Goes a Long Way

Here is the point. I may have gotten my start in radio and television with help, but I kept the jobs and moved up because of hard work.

Second point. What we did. All of us have helped all of you!

Yes, we are O.G.’s. But the older generation has advice and knowledge and gifts to give all of you. We are not dead yet. And we remember.  

It’s easier for you to now because of us.

And it is easy to forget history and criticize affirmative action. But resist that temptation. Most of us are not just given opportunities. We have to work for them.

We were forced to be the first to break down doors and handle the criticism that came our way. It wasn’t easy. And at times, it was so ugly.

We did it for ourselves.

But we also did it for you, my little sisters.

And you know what. You’re very welcome.

Talk to each other. One-On-One. I’m Gloria Moraga. Would you please share my podcast? Please subscribe.