Walter Williams on Discrimination and Free Association

In a related note to my earlier post on the Civil Rights Act and freedom of association, Dr. Walter E. Williams’ latest column also takes on the issue. Here is an excerpt:

One does not have to be a racist to recognize that the federal government has no constitutional authority to prohibit racial or any other kind of discrimination by private parties. Moreover, the true test of one’s commitment to freedom of association doesn’t come when he permits people to associate in ways he deems appropriate. It comes when he permits people to voluntarily associate in ways he deems offensive.