Setting the Record Straight Re: Victory Against Racial Preferences

Ying Ma issued the following statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This recent @FDRLST piece by @kennymxu gives the impression that @wu_wenyuan led the 2020 “No on Prop 16” campaign against racial preferences in CA with Kenny Xu by her side: https://thefederalist.com/2023/06/29/despite-a-scotus-victory-for-fair-admissions-the-fight-for-meritocracy-must-continue/. Kenny Xu was dismissed from the campaign after a very brief stint, and Wenyuan Wu did not lead “No on Prop 16.” Ward Connerly (@tobeequal), president of the campaign, has offered observations on her role, the campaign, and the equal rights movement he’s led for the past 30 years: https://americanidealspac.com/2022/10/01/how-the-equality-movement-defeated-racial-preferences/.

Most did not expect the stunning, landslide defeat of Prop 16; around the country, few paid attention until after the election. Many national commentators, major donors, and foundations that applauded the outcome had no idea how the miraculous defeat occurred. This includes @realchrisrufo @VivekGRamaswamy @Heritage_Action @BradleyFdn, most @FoxNews anchors, and numerous others. The general lack of familiarity with what transpired has allowed shameless self-promotion to arise.

A broad coalition and numerous dedicated and courageous souls have been battling racial preferences long before Kenny Xu or Wenyuan Wu came on the scene. Prop 16 would have repealed Prop 209, which passed a generation ago in 1996 and prohibited racial preferences in CA. The success of 209 sparked a political movement across the country. As a veteran of both Prop 209 and “No on Prop 16,” I’m heartened to see many new faces in the movement, especially those participating in the political process for the first time. It is crucial, however, to set the record straight. The team that made the resounding “No on Prop 16” victory possible is celebrated in this press release: https://americanidealspac.com/2022/09/30/equality-vs-equity-and-the-defeat-of-prop-16-in-california/.

Mr. Connerly, leader of the equal rights movement for the past three decades, responded to Ms. Ma’s statement with the following comments on X: “Ying, I was asked by a good friend to comment on this tweet. I declined because I have consistently sought to avoid the public infighting that afflicts so many other movements. I also said that you are one of my dearest friends whose dedication and contribution to the cause is” “2/longstanding and proven. I said that I share your distaste for unwarranted self promotion, & that there is nothing factually incorrect in your tweet. Remember that those who engage in self-promotion have a tendency to blur the line between fact and falsehood and self-destruct.”