Bake Sale Sets Prices Based on Race, Gender

D A L L A S, Texas, Sept. 26 -- A group of young conservatives says they set up a controversial college bake sale because they wanted to express how deeply they've been hurt by affirmative action.

"We thought it would be a good idea just because we were tryingto raise awareness of affirmative action," said David Rushing, chairman of the Young Conservatives of Texas on ABCNEWS' Good Morning America

"It's no more hurtful than college administrators' affirmative action admissions programs," Rushing said.

Rushing and other members of his group at Southern Methodist University in Dallas sold freshly baked cookies for a series of different prices based on the customer's gender and race.

The bake sale's sign said white males had to pay $1 for a cookie. The price was 75 cents for white women, 50 cents for Hispanics and 25 cents for blacks.

Rushing, a 23-year-old law student, says he and his fellow bakers meant no offense and were only trying to protest the use of race or gender as a factor in college admissions.

"We're trying to have a simplified example so we can help the students understand it," Rushing said. We thought a concrete example that's very tangible is easier for students to grasp than an abstract admissions policy with points and a sliding scale and all these numerical formulas," he said.

Bake Sale Shut Down in 45 Minutes

SMU shut down the bake sale 45 minutes after it began Wednesday, saying it created a potentially unsafe situation.The sale drew a crowd outside the student center and several students engaged in a shouting match. One black student filed a complaint with the university, saying the sale was offensive.

Similar sales have been held by College Republican chapters at colleges in at least five other states since February. Rushing's group sold three cookies during its protest, raising $1.50.

Many SMU students spoke out about the sale, saying the conservative group's point didn't get across.

SMU student Matt Houston said the display showed the group's ignorance when it comes to affirmative action.