Race and the Democratic Process: David Plotke Replies

The main points of Lani Guinier’s essay deserve vigorous assent and criticism. She links debates about racial justice with arguments about representation in ways that are theoretically powerful and ambitiously democratic. Guinier wants blacks to gain a fuller and more significant political role, and for overall political participation and democratic dialogue to increase. I share these goals but doubt her proposals will be effective in attaining them. I address three questions: Should we...