For those who fought for civil rights in the '60s, the minority council experience has demonstrated that, as someone once said, "freedom is not a state of tranquility"; the rights won 40 years ago must be fought for once again. The new generation of minorities does not share the same experience as those who lived in an America during the height of the civil rights struggle. Some seem to be happy just to be recognized by any politician.

What is clear is that, if change is going to come about in the interest of a particular group, that group must be its own advocate and not leave it to others, including the mercenaries who have good intentions but lack the commitment to that group. They should stop allowing themselves to be used by simply sitting on committees or advisory bodies that amount to window dressing and give the illusion that minorities are being involved in matters of their community.

Minorities must exercise their own power in order to sit at the table and be part of, rather than apart from, the decisions that affect the lives of citizens. They need not wait to be asked, because that may never happen; rather, they must be prepared and make their case for the right to sit at the decisionmaking table.

If the new governor is serious about representing the interest of all citizens, then he ought to make sure the decisions and polices he proposes reflect the concerns of minorities, as well. That calls for minorities to be part of the policy decisionmaking and implementation aspect of government, not token members.

If he insists on having minority advisory bodies, they could act as a "kitchen Cabinet" that provides confidential advice as to the problems, and solutions, for ensuring government works for all citizens, period. The current positions of "executive director" for the minority offices ought to be part of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget. This would allow all policies and budget matters to take in to consideration the issues affecting minorities.

The measurement of success for the administration would be how effective state agencies are in responding to all citizens, minorities included.

Minorities are not to be taken for granted or exploited for political gain; rather, they must be included in directing the future of our state. For the new generation of minorities, they should not forget the struggle and sacrifices their predecessors experienced in creating the rights they now enjoy.

If the new governor wants government to work for all, especially those in greatest need, then he will select advisers who will tell him what he needs to hear rather than what he wants to hear.

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Utah native John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations, served on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch and on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards. He also has been deputy assistant secretary of labor. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net