He asked the panelists what suggestions they had for making affirmative action work for minority students who lack economic advantages.

The panelists responded with several suggestions, including expanding programs like midnight basketball and Headstart, and reevaluating need-blind admissions policies.

Bloodworth defended race-based affirmative action. "People do not have the historical context to understand that slavery only ended 5 generations ago and that segregation ended even more recently."

"We need to learn to interact with other people from our position in the world," he said.

HRC President Travis D. Wheatley '99 agreed that a diverse student body enhances the college experience.

"The benefit of affirmative action is that it brings people into situations they normally would not have been in," said Wheatley.

However, Wheatley opposed affirmative action in its present incarnation.

"We should focus our attention on equalizing the education of minorities who live in poor districts," he said. "Our misfocus gives us students who are not ready for college. We shouldn't have to compromise our standards in order to achieve diversity."

Most of the audience responded positively to the panel's discussion.

"I think the groundwork was laid for a healthy dialogue about affirmative action among students with a variety of perspectives," said Kent B. McNellie '99, chair of HPU.

The debate revealed panelists' deep concern over affirmative action policies.

"If I do achieve a lot in life, I think I will have a hard time enjoying my achievements because other people did not have the same advantages that I did," said panelist Shin Lin '98, secretary of the Chinese Students Association.

"I think we all share a goal to end discrimination, but differ on the means," Lin said.