VOTE NO ON QUESTION 6 -THE

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1 THIS NOVEMBER. VOTE NO ON QUESTION 6 -THE 11SEGREGATIOII AMENDMENT'

2 WHAT IS THE SEGREGATION AMENDMENT? In this November's election, a measure sponsored by South Boston's state representative Raymond Flynn, and others, will appear on the ballot in the form of a binding referendum. It states: "No student shall be assigned to or denied admittance to a public school on the basis of race, color, national origin or creed." If passed, this wording would become an a mendment to our state constitution. WHY IS QUESDON 6 A SEGREGATION AMENDMENT? On the surface, this amendment may seem harmless. But what does it really mean? The intent of this amendment is to outlaw racially-conscious plans, such as busing, as a means of achieving integration. These plans are the only way to integrate schools in cities afflicted by segregated housing. In Boston, it was only after years of rejection and sabotage of voluntary integration plans by the Boston School Committee and other public officials that it became necessary to have Court-ordered plans to achieve integration. During those same years, the fights against desegregation prevented any form of united action of parents and teachers from focusing on the real problems of the city's educational system. Those supporting this amendment would drag us back into the struggle against integration which has only served to keep down the real issue of quality education for every child in Boston.

3 WHAT IS THE LEGAL EFFECT OF THIS AMENDMENT. IF IT WERE PASSED? Legally, the proposed amendment would be a valuable tool for those seeking to block integration. Responsible communities should be able to institute racially conscious plans on a voluntary basis to remedy patterns of discrimination. The amendment would cripple such measures and open up programs like METCO and bi-lingual education to renewed attack. While desegregation orders in Boston and Springfield are under federal jurisdiction, the amendment would be another weapon for opponents in their persistent attempts to undermine those orders. Affirmative action at state colleges and universities could also be challenged. WHY IS THE AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT? Opponents of integration are trying once again to distract the people of Massachusetts from the real answers to the problems facing everyone in the Commonwealth. Their solution to the problem of poor education is to stop busing; to the lack of jobs, they say stop affirmative action; to the shortage of housing, they say we must keep minorities contained in segregated neighborhoods. This amendment is a gauge of support for all these views. The only possible result of these so-called solutions is the disruption of our schools and c?mmunities and hatred among people of different colors and nationalities.

4 We cannot allow the s~pporters of this amendment to hide behind the guise of "freedom of choice" or that admission to schools should be "color-blind". History has shown that "free choice"'has created dual school systems, that "color-blind" admission means segregation. Based upon this history, "color-conscious" assignment is the only way to reach true equality. WHAT YOU CAN DO The referendum question is deceptively worded in such a way as to confuse people to its true meaning. A "yes" vote looks like a vote for individual freedom, but it would be a vote for segregation and hatred. In order to have an effect on this referendum, a broad organization of organizations is essential. We need to join together to publicize the true nature of this amendment. If the Massachusetts campaign is successful, we can be sure these amendments will be used in other states as well. It is not enough to sit back and hope it will go away. We cannot rely on the courts to rule it unconstitutional once it is passed. The movement for segregation has shown time and time again that it won't just go away. And the courts have shown more and more that they are moving away from a commitment to integration. We urge you to join with us to expose this proposed amendment. We need to join together to leaflet, poster and canvass to bring out a strong "no" vote in November. VOTE NO ON #6 ON NOVEMBER 8

5 mon~~ Fofl. $C.HOOI...S, 1HE SECiREGATION AMENDMENT WON'T SOLVE 1HESE PROBLEMS FuNc. TtoiU~l J U...IT ~AC.'(

6 ENDORSEMENTS This camplrl'gn and brochure endorsed and sponsored by the following groups: Boston Equal Rights Committee Dr. Erna Bryant Citywide Parents Advisory Council (CPAC) CPPAX --Social Justice Task Force Massachusetts Lawyers Guild Mattapan Neighborhood Block Association Jean M. McGuire, Executive Director of METCO, Inc. Boston NAACP Senator Bill Owens Chuck Turner, Third World Jobs Clearinghouse* *Organization listed for identification only To volunteer to help or for more information on the Segregation Amendment or the Boston Equal Rights Committee, call Barbara at between 9 and 5, or write to Boston ERC, PO Box 498, Dorchester, MA VOTE NO ON QUESTION 6! Publish_ed by the Boston Equal Rights Committee, a local branch of the National Equal Rights Congress. 0,,