The debate over race and gender preferences is always an intense one. Proponents of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) believe that all people should be treated as equal individuals. We believe that any time a preference is given to an individual of one "race" over an individual of another "race," or to one gender over the other, treatment cannot be equal. We believe that all people should be judged based on character, merit, and accomplishments — not skin color or gender. I, for one, do not want to be given a preference over my brother solely because I am...