• Promote national dialogue on race issues;
• Increase the nation's understanding of the history and future of race relations;
• Identify and create plans to calm racial tension and promote increased opportunity for all Americans; and
• Address crime and the administration of justice.

That is not entirely true. Allow me to explain. Affirmative action is under extreme scrutiny and it’s legality and fairness are coming into question in many states and locales. I am not going to comment on the legality or fairness of affirmative action, I will leave that for another rant.

What is clear, though, is that this Initiative is a thinly veiled attempt by the Administration to shore up support for continuing affirmative action as a national policy. This is reflected by the choice of speakers and constant discussion about affirmative action. (See RNC Talking Points) It seems that any discussion about an aspect of race relations other than affirmative action is quickly and deftly steered back to affirmative action. This initiative is a fraud and a cruel hoax perpetuated by the Administration on minority and majority people alike, who in their quest for racial tolerance and understanding have embraced the Initiative as a vehicle for these hopes. I too share those hopes. I also sincerely hope that the Initiative finds its way back to it's stated goal, this nation and our children deserve that. Just as well, I won’t be holding my breath.