Affirmative action. A bright hope or a grim threat?

In many countries today great efforts are being made to ensure equality of opportunity for all citizens. Sometimes a removal of barriers to progress is found sufficient of itself to correct past injustices with reasonable speed; elsewhere special programs need to be developed to give positive advantages to those suffering from earlier discrimination. These programs, designed to correct former injustice or neglect, are described in the United States as "affirmative action."

But while correcting past abuses for some, these programs can result in reverse discrimination for others; they can threaten hardship or apparent hardship to groups and individuals. This situation then arouses fear and resentment, which can slow down or halt the useful advances of affirmative action. How can society find ways to develop and implement the bright hope of affirmative action swiftly and effectively while avoiding the threat of reverse discrimination it may hold for others? By recognizing the spiritual origin and inspiration of true affirmative action; by recognizing that really affirmative action must derive from divine Truth, God.

In Christian Science, Truth is identified with God, the one infinite governing intelligence and wholly good Principle of all that really exists. Truth, understood as divine and so spelled with a capital letter, is always supreme. It is never delayed, never uncertain, never divisive. In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes of it: "Truth is affirmative, and confers harmony. All metaphysical logic is inspired by this simple rule of Truth, which governs all reality." ^{Science and Health, p. 418;} The affirmative action of divine Truth governs man and the universe in perfect harmony, blessing all and threatening none.

This affirmative action of divine Truth appears on the human scene as the Christ, Truth, touching and transforming every human condition. Its action is described by Christ Jesus in the words, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." ^{John 8:32;} This liberating action, besides being affirmative, brings harmony. It frees some from past injustices and others from anxiety about present or future injustices; and it ensures ample good for all.

Man, as revealed by Christ, Truth, is the perfect spiritual likeness of God. He expresses individually and uniquely the completeness of his divine source. He reflects all good, all substance, all ability and capability; he includes all opportunity and activity. He has never been underprivileged or overprivileged, unjustly advantaged or disadvantaged, has never lacked his full measure of good. He is not divided and never has been divided into material groupings distinguished by physical color and gender or by human creeds that might claim to limit his progress. The words of the father in Jesus' parable are and always have been true of every individual child of God: "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." ^{Luke 15:31;}

Study of the social sciences is highly popular today; and these sciences are looked to for the solution of many human problems. Students of these sciences will most surely find their solutions as they act on the Bible verse, "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come." ^{Ps. 65:2;} All flesh, black, white, red, or brown, male or female, every human problem collective or individual, can be taken in prayer to divine Truth. And divine Truth hears and answers prayer with universal and impartial benevolence.

So it is with our need to formulate affirmative action programs, to finance, staff, and execute them. When the solutions come from divine Truth, no one need feel afraid, no one need feel threatened. The affirmative action that receives its original inspiration and continuing impulsion from divine Truth will most quickly achieve its purpose without threat or injury to anyone.

The affirmative action of Truth is potent and continuous. As the eternal facts of Christ, Truth, of God and the spiritual nature of man, are vigorously and persistently acknowledged and entertained, they guide us to the most affirmative and productive action at every level of daily living, in our homes, in our offices or work stations, in our communities. They inspire us to help establish right and correct wrong in the most orderly and loving manner.

Mrs. Eddy writes, "It is Truth's knowledge of its own infinitude which forbids the genuine existence of even a claim to error." ^{No and Yes, p. 30.} Divine Truth, eternally knowing and declaring its own infinitude, inspires all who turn to it with those concepts, ways and means, that will most rapidly and harmoniously cast out the results of past errors and ensure present and future justice for all.

Individuals have proved that the affirmative nature of divine Truth, acknowledged in scientific prayer, can correct past injustice and open wide the gates of opportunity. They have found their abilities enlarged and their capabilities recognized and accepted without the help of process or program. No individual's progress is bound to wait on society's action.

But to whatever extent affirmative action by society is needed— and it certainly is needed in many areas—that action will be swiftest in its results, will be most continuously effective, and will most successfully avoid even the appearance of injustice to any, if it derives its inspiration from the affirmative action of divine Truth. Then so far from arousing fears, it will impartially bring recognized blessing to all.
Peter J. Henniker-Heaton