Chemical Industry And Educators Join In Affirmative Action Debate: ▪ Each group foresees problems—but in the other's bailiwick—if diversity is not required under federal mandate

In what could become a bitter, divisive debate, the nation's employers— including the chemical industry and educational institutions—will figure in the decision to keep or repeal affirmative action programs. To hear some people tell it, affirmative action has put America's employed white male plurality at risk. But supporters contend that affirmative action has helped place women and minorities into institutions of higher learning and workplaces. As in most socioeconomic issues, several conflicting opinions on this topic have emerged. At the heart of this debate are determination of the effectiveness of affirmative action and, in the event affirmative action were eliminated, the continued ability of women and minorities to make inroads academically and within the workforce. Data from the government seem to show that affirmative action in the chemical industry may be working—at least for minorities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that blacks made up 11.7% of the workforce for the chemicals and al...