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Abstract: This article focuses on the campaign to uphold affirmative action in Michigan against a copycat ballot initiative that ultimately abolished it. The author, a key organizer in the defense of affirmative action campaign, offers intimate insight and assessment of the campaign itself, highlighting the effective strategies, and missteps, of the campaign. In addition, this articles seeks to: first, construct a historical account of the campaign against the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) that examines its various dimensions; and second, to provide an educational tool highlighting replicable successes and flagging critical missteps for forthcoming struggles. This will serve to guide proponents of affirmative action in states where anti-affirmative action referenda will be introduced, particularly after recent Supreme Court decisions.
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