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The Pros And Cons Of Affirmative Action

1100 Words5 Pages

Unbelievably, there was a time where it was very difficult for minorities to get equal opportunities in just about every facet of life. Whether it was landing a good job, going to a prestigious school or even getting housing opportunities it was very difficult for minorities to attain these things. Mostly affecting Africans Americans, many other minority groups that were also affected from not getting equal opportunities in everyday life were the Italians, Irish, Jews, Mormons, homosexuals, and women. With all the unrest and civil action by these groups, things were bound to change to give them a chance to have equality in these areas. Soon enough a new law was passed by President John F. Kennedy called Affirmative Action. This new policy was …show more content…

Affirmative action aims to promote hiring and recruitment of minorities and women to close the gap of what some would consider social injustices that has plagued the United States of America for many years.

Since Affirmative Action has been in place many believe the impact, it has had on minorities in undeniable. Proponents of Affirmative Action believe it promotes equality and really does give minorities a chance to be included in certain jobs, schools, and housing they otherwise would likely not get into. Minorities and women have seen an increase of opportunities to pursue the career school and house they want equally without discrimination or bias. Meaning now women can pursue jobs in men driven fields such as engineering, construction, and politics. The same goes for men also being able to pursue careers in women driven fields such as nursing, cosmetics, fashion etc. Opponents Affirmative Action says it lowers standards and promotes complacency among the minority groups. Meaning since there are a certain number of minorities that need to be accepted into Affirmative Action programs, they do not need to work as hard to get into schools and …show more content…

Gary Becker a college professor at the University of Chicago states that “Affirmative Action laws hurt individuals who are supposed to benefit from them and does more harm than good.” (Becker) Becker states “individuals less qualified perform poorer than their more qualified peers in school and in the workplace.” (Becker). Both sides each have valid points to make and evidence to support them. Groups that support and confirm Affirmative Action and there polices are The American Council on Education. This party strongly supports Affirmative Action Policies and has implemented them since 1995. They believe strongly in diversity and that it breaks down barriers and stereotypes that eventually can have a positive impact on someone's life. The also believe in economic equality, especially for minorities and women that have faced hardship for hundreds of years. Another group who supports Affirmative Action policies is the American Association for Affirmative Action. This group was solely assembled for the prosperity of Affirmative Action and everything thing it stands for. With professional and leadership training, they have promoted understanding advocacy of Affirmative Action policies. With years of experience at their helm, they are one of the premier groups

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In the United States of America, affirmative action was established in the 1960’s in order to redress the disadvantages of minority and historically excluded groups. Specifically focusing on issues in education and the workforce, affirmative action aimed to make these public institutions more representative of the population that they served. However, while affirmative action was meant to level the playing field, some argued that it brought about reverse discrimination against those who were not disadvantaged in this nation. Opponents asserted that affirmative action policies favor one group over another based solely on race rather than qualifications. No matter the argument, the Supreme Court debated this issue and attempted to accommodate

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The Controversy Of Banning Affirmative Action In Public Universities

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It’s important to remember affirmative action is a response to the discrimination that already exists. Even with affirmative action, women continue to earn seventy-seven cents for every male dollar. African Americans continue to have twice the unemployment rate of white people. Only two research universities in states with affirmative action bans have at least the same proportion of black students as the state’s college-age population. “Many events in recent years have served as important reminders that our Nation, despite path-breaking progress on some fronts, continues to face, and at times to struggle with, matters of race and inclusion that remain ever present in our communities,” lawyers for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill wrote in a brief to the

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Affirmative Action Pros And Cons

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According to “Race, Socioeconomic Status and Health: Complexities, Ongoing Challenges and Research Opportunities,” it is said that, “The data reveal remarkable increases in education over time with the percentage of blacks completing high school increasing fourfold from 20% in 1960 to 82% in 2006. Similarly, the percentage of whites completing high school doubled from 43% in 1960 to 86% in 2006. In 2006, the disparity between whites and blacks in high school graduation rates had narrowed dramatically from earlier years” (Williams). This data shows that not only a minority group has benefitted over time. Affirmative action may be targeting minority groups, but it is only doing that to help everyone be an educated, working member of society.

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Arguments Against Affirmative Action

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Affirmative action has become obsolete in today’s society. Affirmative action is an active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women; also: a similar effort to promote the rights or progress of other disadvantaged persons (Merriam-Webster, 2011). Today’s affirmative action will demoralize the very concepts that the policy was implemented to uphold: those of equality for all people regardless of color and discrimination. This policy supports racial multiplicity at the price of distinction, impartiality and experience; it also follows the line of reverse discrimination and sexual bias against white men (Reyna, Tucker, Korfmacher, & Henry, 2005).

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According to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology when members of different races are mixed together the level of prejudice lowers (1). Affirmative Action does not just help minorities economically, but it helps them socially. When you increase the level of minorities at colleges people are able to live in a place for four years where different races are forced to work together. This will help create a world where everyone is equal, and we can get rid of prejudice because of race, creed, and gender. These things sound good, but Affirmative Action does not lower prejudice, and does not give more opportunities to low income

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Instead of placing emphasis on specific groups, affirmative action should work to make sure that it is fair for all. Affirmative action does not always promote institutions, accepting less qualified candidates can lead less work output or lower test scores, leaving the institution worse for wear. Lao-Tzu in Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching stated that through “overesteem[ing] great men, people become powerless” (24) and “Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men doesn’t try to force issues”(26). By this Lao-Tzu claimed that by regarding people too highly, the people will not take initiative and that the true way to govern is to not press issues upon the people. Affirmative action can lead to unqualified candidates receiving positions which may overwhelm them and hinder their and ultimately the institution’s performance.

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Affirmative Action is best known as a policy for individuals that suffer from discrimination. This was a policy that was set in place mainly for employment and education. It brought up the underrepresented groups of minorities as well as women. As for now, uses for affirmative action are unneeded and disagreeable. Affirmative action is an “active effort to improve employment or educational opportunities for members of minority groups and for women.”

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