Rethinking Proposition 209

In the fiery debate that took place over Proposition 209 in the months leading up to November 5, 1996, the sides were clearly drawn: the pro-affirmative action camp vociferously opposed the conservative-championed measure, while the bill's proponents shouted its praises equally loudly. A year and a half after the measure's passage, some of Prop 209's strongest supporters are wondering if eliminating racial preferences was the right thing to do.