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The Pros And Cons Of Affirmative Action

2568 Words11 Pages

Affirmative Action has been one of the most controversial issues since before World War II. This policy, in the eyes of those who support it, evens the playing field for people of all backgrounds, including race and ethnicity, and those who’ve had less fortunate upbringings. Others, however, see it as discrimination toward the majority. Both arguments can be supported, but the laws and executive orders that have been implemented because of Affirmative Action tell the real story. Where Affirmative Action is and isn’t constitutional walks a fine line. Two main areas that are affected by Affirmative Action; college admissions and employment.
College admissions are key regarding Affirmative Action. There have been multiple cases between individual applicants and public universities arguing that Affirmative Action is unconstitutional and …show more content…

After the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the committee was officially named the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The Civil Rights Act and Executive Order 10925 gave the EEOC the right to enforce laws that made it illegal for employers to discriminate against an applicant based on their race, color, religion, sex, age, disabilities, genetic information, or national origin (“U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission”, n.d.). The EEOC also coves situations such as firing, promotions, harassment, wages, benefits, and training. A year after the Civil Rights Act was passed, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued Executive Order 11246, perhaps one of the most significant orders regarding Affirmative Action. The order placed the responsibility of ensuring the prohibition of discrimination by federal contractors or subcontractors in the hands of the Secretary of Labor, a cabinet-level official with great authority (Executive Order 11246 of 1965, 2008). Discrimination laws were finally being enforced by an official, national agency throughout the

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“Affirmative action is not about quotas. It’s an attempt to open more opportunities for women and people of color through aggressive recruitment and outreach greater access to academic institutions and the workplace and not exclude people on the basis of race or gender.” (Holhut3) Actions or policy favoring those individuals who are subject to discrimination particularly in relation to employment or education is called Affirmative Action. Although affirmative action is not necessarily a form of equal treatment it is a form of fair treatment. Programs that attempt to break down the wall of segregation that excluded racial minorities and women from workplace and education include quotas, minority scholarships, reverse discrimination, preferential hiring and diversity have all been linked to affirmative action.

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