Affirmative action has always been controversial, with many advocates on both sides.

And next fall, with the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative on the ballot, the issue is once again brought to the forefront.

If passed, the initiative would make it unconstitutional to have hiring or university admissions preferences based on gender or race — effectively ending the practice of race-based affirmative action in Michigan.

When it comes down to it, this will affect college enrollment and hiring in the state. Things that directly affect college students.

With so much at stake, people should not immediately jump on one side or the other, but discuss the issue civilly and thoroughly.

Affirmative action deals with a lot of sensitive subjects, encompassing almost every major social issue in this country. Gender, race and economics are all at work here.

Although it's arguable that inequality in America still exists, giving everyone equal opportunity might not be the solution. There's even more potential for less diversity.

On paper, it makes perfect sense to focus on one's achievements, rather than on one's race or gender. But there are many cases where the scales could be tipped negatively and intervention is needed.

In California, where a ban on affirmative action took effect in 1998, the consequences were quick and clear. That fall, the University of California, Berkeley admitted its least-diverse freshman class in 17 years. African American admissions fell 56 percent and Latino admissions fell 49 percent.

Berkeley argued that it had no way to differentiate between 4.0 candidates other than on weighting grade point averages with additional credit given for Advanced Placement courses. Many lower-class high schools don't offer AP classes.

However, there are many exceptions to the rule. There is always the possibility of someone being rejected from a job or not being accepted to college because of affirmative action, when perhaps they were more qualified to attend.

One solution offered by supporters of the initiative is to focus on class-based affirmative action rather than on a system focused on race. It would work as a step toward creating economic affirmative action in place of racial affirmative action.

There is no answer right now, but this issue deserves a lot of consideration and there are good points brought up on all sides.

This debate is good for the state and it forces the government to re-evaluate its policies in an objective manner.

The decision made next November could change a lot. It's important for everyone to carefully look at the merits and problems with affirmative action and decide if the initiative on the ballot is good for the state or not.

Even if you don't think it applies to you, it does.