The document discusses challenges to affirmative action policies and strategies to reframe the debate. It notes that affirmative action is often mischaracterized and discussed without proper context. Research shows affirmative action is typically framed as benefiting black people rather than people of color overall and as preferences rather than remedies for racial disadvantages. The document outlines a radio series and website created to disseminate information busting common myths about affirmative action and share untold stories through creative means and expert collaborators.

1. Affirmative Action Framed and Reframed The 13 Myth Radio Series A Project of the African American Policy Forum & The Affirmative Action Research and Policy Consortium

2. Defining the Problem What most people know about affirmative action isn’t right… … and what is right about affirmative action most people don’t know. Innovative social Inclusion Policies are being retracted, challenged, withdrawn…. And levels of exclusion are increasing…

3. Context Setting Challenges to Affirmative Action: - Discussed in a “vacuum”—policies are not grounded Bad Press; The way affirmative action is framed is so problematic that it obliges people to take the contrary side; There is no way to reframe it without challenging the frame. Internet, mainstream radio programs and newspapers – available outlets – are not ideal for the reframing of the message;

4. What “We-Do-Know” JANINE JACKSON’S FAIR Study on AA in Media AA framed as Race, Not Gender AA framed as Black, Not POC AA framed as Preferences, Not Remedial AA framed as Class Advantage, Not Racial Disadvantage

5. Race of Unequal Opportunity Poor schooling, unconscious bias, Privilege, wealth disparities, Connections, standardized tests; Wealth School to prison pipeline, old-boy network, underemployment; Discrimination, racial profiling, disproportionate lifespan;

6. How to sustain an investigatory story? How did we do it? Creative Means/ Innovation Expert resources, targeted interviews, dramatization of stories; Creating our own on-line outlets (website) Building a collaboration-group of interdisciplinary experts Writing and Disseminating our Mythbuster Series. Radio Show was an entry door; Website built upon the products of the radio show;

7. The African American Policy Forum On-Line www.aapf.org

8. MYTHBUSTERS SERIES GOING ON-LINE ON PAPER AND ON THE RADIO: www.aapf.org/focus

9. THE 13 MYTHS The Myth: Preferential Treatment The Myth: Affirmative Action was a Radical Social Policy out of Step with American Ideals The Myth: Affirmative Action Is No Longer Needed The Myth: Affirmative Action Constitutes the Admission of Unqualified Students in College and University Admissions The Myth: Affirmative Action is an African American Entitlement Program The Myth: Affirmative Action Should be About Class, Not Race The Myth: Existing anti-disrimination laws are adequate to create equal opportunity The Myth: Affirmative Action Stigmatizes its Beneficiaries

10. The Myth: Individual effort and hard work determines who becomes prosperous and wealthy in the United States The Myth: Colorblindness is, and always has been, a basic American ideal, and its advocates oppose affirmative action not because they oppose racial progress, but because it contradicts our societal consensus on colorblindness The Myth: Absent affirmative action, race is as empty and meaningless as skin color; it is affirmative action that creates racial differences The Myth: Affirmative action is a domestic policy that reflects an obsession with race that is peculiar to America The Myth: Opposing Affirmative Action is consistent with the vision of equality articulated in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream of a colorblind America

11. Who else engaged… To Check Out All Our Collaborators Go to http://aapf.org/focus/episodes/guests.php

12. Building an Interdisciplinary Pool of Collaborators

13. Exploding Myths and Reaching Out to a Multiracial Base.

14. Reaching Out to the Community Unveiling untold stories: Did-You-Know Sections

15. Continuing the Learning Process: Taking Lessons Home…

16. Transforming Valid Data into Accessible Information… Believe It or Not! http://www.aapf.org/focus/episodes/nov3.php

17. Did You Know: Facing the Facts:

18. Bridging Research and General Public http://www.aapf.org/focus/episodes/oct27.php

19. Reframing the Debate under the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement http://www.aapf.org/focus/episodes/nov7.php

20. Connecting the Policies to Successful Stories! Coming Out For Affirmative Action – Tell Us How Affirmative Action Helped You To Overcome Obstacles! http://aapf.org/focus/episodes/testimonials.php