The perception of linked fate and that feeling of being always on the spot as a representative of the race, at least in mixed company, are features of African American life that predate affirmative action and arise outside of its presence.

I champion sensibly designed racial affirmative action, not because I have benefited from it personally - though I have. I support it because, on balance, it is conducive to the public good.

In law school, I earned the respect of professors and served on the editorial board of 'The Yale Law Journal.'

Randall Kennedy Quotes