Affirmative Actiontopics Is the Provision of Special Opportunities Essay Example

is essential to contemplate the wider implications on the American populace when these goals are accomplished. College admissions represent a common domain where affirmative action is implemented, mandating universities to admit a specific number of minority students annually. Nonetheless, the admission of minorities unavoidably impacts the majority group.

Colleges have limits on student acceptance and minority admission to ensure a fair admission process. This can result in the rejection of qualified applicants who may be more suitable for the education provided. Medical schools also face regulations promoting diversity. Previously, medical schools used a point system to assess candidates during admissions, but this was deemed unconstitutional, prompting schools to reconsider their approaches. Some individuals view racial preference in college admissions as advantageous, contending that diversity benefits all students.

While some see affirmative action as a discredited accomplishment for minorities and a form of discrimination against other races, others have a positive perception of it in today's society. The arguments supporting affirmative action include the idea of promoting social good, achieving compensatory justice, and striving for equality (McElroy). However, affirmative action also creates a separation between personal merit and economic success (McElroy). It is through affirmative action that minority groups are able to access opportunities they were previously denied in various aspects of life, such as securing employment and gaining admission into colleges they once thought were out of reach.

Although minority doctors are beneficial by serving in underserved regions and improving healthcare accessibility for economically disadvantaged minority communities (Croasdale), there is a concern that current affirmative action measures have resulted in excessive advantages for minorities at the expense of the majority. As a result, compensating minorities for past discrimination

is viewed as unjust towards those currently affected. Therefore, to encourage diversity in present-day America, the concept of reverse discrimination should be prohibited.

Affirmative action, including policies focused on race, aims to assist the disadvantaged while also resulting in discrimination against the majority. These measures were implemented to address racial inequalities in rights and opportunities. However, affirmative action has become increasingly controversial over the past twenty-five years since its introduction due to its association with employment—a valuable yet difficult resource in our market economy.

Affirmative action is most commonly linked with employment for the average American, regardless of their background. Although it is also applicable to education, government contracting, and voting rights, its association with jobs remains the strongest. The concept first emerged in response to job discrimination and has encountered difficulties due to a scarcity of job opportunities. Nevertheless, it has persisted in growing and increasing significance throughout time.

Despite the potential for strong national leadership and strategic legal action to protect it, affirmative action must always remain vigilant. Its goal is to eliminate self-imposed barriers on career ambitions and broaden individuals' perception of what they can achieve. This allows for a thorough evaluation of various options based on individualized considerations for career choices and objectives (Stroud 385). Undoubtedly, affirmative action is crucial in addressing the widespread discrimination that persists in our society.

According to experts in employment discrimination, affirmative action is motivated and occasionally required by laws against discrimination, such as the Civil Rights Act (Forman 746). It is essential to facilitate advancement for individuals belonging to minority groups, enabling them to secure higher positions and better-paying jobs rather than limiting them to lower-paying occupations.

By providing opportunities to these individuals, they can flourish and improve their quality of life. The United States should aim for equal opportunity among all races while also eradicating gender bias and guaranteeing equal job prospects for both genders.

Many countries around the world are implementing affirmative action policies because they recognize its importance. India, for example, has implemented extensive and longstanding affirmative action measures for disadvantaged castes that surpass any program in the United States (Ginsburg 2). India's 1950 constitution boldly affirms the need for affirmative action to ensure equal opportunities for all castes and races. Despite opposition claiming that affirmative action is meaningless and ineffective, they fail to acknowledge that "affirmative action works rather well, at least in the context of employment" (Buford Jr., 1998). The courts also support affirmative action, as evident in a ruling by a federal district court in San Francisco which resulted in significant changes - for the first time, women were admitted as firefighters in the history of the fire department.

According to Shelton (1998), a federal district court review in 1987 resulted in a consent decree that boosted the representation of African Americans in officer positions from 7 to 31. Hispanic officers also increased from 12 to 55, and Asians went from 0 to 10. Such positive court decisions make it unlikely for the Law Enforcement Association to receive support from the courts. Affirmative action benefited black males and women, but often caused harm to white males who may have had superior qualifications. Paradoxically, this led to many white people automatically assuming that any black person in a prestigious position did not earn it, but received it through affirmative

action. Affirmative action programs also come at the cost of seemingly forcing us to violate our deeply held ideals in order to satisfy them. These programs aim to create a society where individuals are not denied opportunities based on their color or gender.

Many programs were implemented to disqualify individuals with superior qualifications from certain positions based on their color or gender, causing discomfort for many. A race-neutral affirmative action can be the most effective means to assist black individuals, a significant percentage of whom are impoverished. Implementing robust affirmative action will ensure that blacks have equal opportunities for quality education and training. Various costs and benefits exist for affirmative action and other forms of support for the marginalized in our society.

White society should provide compensation to blacks for the harm and injustices they have faced. This can be achieved through reverse discrimination, such as preferential hiring, contracts, and scholarships. While white males may not be directly responsible for oppressing blacks, they have benefited from this oppression and discrimination. Therefore, it is appropriate for less qualified women and blacks to be hired before them.

The main idea is that those who knowingly and willingly benefit from a wrongdoing must contribute towards rectifying it. It is crucial for us to adapt to life in a diverse world, promoting harmonious relationships with individuals of different races and cultures. This requires integrating schools and workplaces, as diversity serves as a significant symbol and educational tool. Given the rapid multiculturalism of U.S. society, its citizens and future leaders should be prepared to understand and appreciate the contributions and beliefs of various ethnic groups. Census data on racial composition suggests that if

current growth patterns continue, the percentage of whites in the population will decrease from 73.6% in 1995 to just 52.5% by 2050.

Universities must embrace students of all races and ethnicities to adequately prepare them for success in our fast-paced and competitive society, particularly cultures that have historically been overlooked or marginalized. This is essential due to changing population demographics and the increasing global nature of business and technology.

Furthermore, it is crucial to acknowledge and study the contributions of women across various fields, including their efforts within families, communities, nations, and the world. These subjects should be integrated into academic curricula and also become topics of scientific research.

Nevertheless, it is important to exercise critical judgment when evaluating the qualities and values of an ethnic community or culture while incorporating these subjects. Understanding a culture without blindly glorifying it is necessary.

Preferential treatment is crucial in society and President Clinton expressed strong support for affirmative action in a speech at the National Archives on July 19, 1995. He suggested the slogan "Mend it, but don't end it" to emphasize his stance (Freedberg A1). Various minority group leaders, such as the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, praised the President's dedication to affirmative action. While supporting affirmative action overall, President Clinton also called for a review of programs that are misused or poorly managed. Affirmative action plays a vital role in enhancing today's society.

The Black population has endured significant challenges in the past and deserves compensation in the present. It is essential to have diversity within institutions. Affirmative action is regularly supported by courts, strengthening its advocates. There is no doubt that society

would gain from implementing affirmative action.

Works Cited

1. Stroud, Sarah. “The Aim of Affirmative Action.” Social Theory and Practice 25.3 (1999): 385.
2. Forman, J. Jr. “Saving affirmative action.” The Nation 253.20 (1991): 746.
3. Ginsburg, R. “Affirmative action as an international human rights dialogue.” Brookings Review 18.1 (2000): 2.
4. Buford Jr., J.A. “Affirmative action works.” Commonweal 125.12 (1998): 12.