Pgardn; it's so interesting you posted this topic- slate ran an article on Albert Shanker (full disclosure: I'd never heard of the guy, and I've seen "Sleeper" a dozen times):
http://www.slate.com/id/2175023/
The article discusses a lot of what you brought up- that affirmative action would be more effective if applied according to economic class, not race. Good article and I think I may have to buy the book on Shanker.
(And Danzig, that's a great line. I'm going to start using it, especially in light of a stupid work situation that just won't go away.)