2006-09-25 14:18:35 · 3 answers · asked by mysteryhack 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
This phrase is used to mean non-discrimination but without "affirmative action". For example, you cannot be denied a position based on your ethnicity. But it does not provide any additional boost for the person from a particular group, if another person applying for the same position is equally qualified. Some people think that affirmative action means quotas or permits less than qualified candidates to obtain jobs over more qualified candidates - that's why you are hearing this term more often. The thing is that judging that two candidates are equally qualified is subjective in most cases so this is a sticky subject. When equality of opportunity exists for a long while (I think there is now, but hasn't been around for long enough yet), affirmative action will no longer be necessary.
2006-09-25 14:27:06 · answer #1 · answered by Yo it's Me 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question!
The best answer to this comes from Chris Rock's stand up routine. He really nailed the issue on the head.
OK, here's the juice. Most people get their first opportunity from their parents, their parents' friends, etc. White Americans have a bit of an edge here. We have the benefit of some accumulation of family wealth that can be passed on generation to generation. This is certainly not available to all families. There are far more poor whites in this country than poor blacks. Chris Rock pointed out that African Americans by and large lack that sort of wealth.
New Orleans is a great example of inequality of opportunity. The African Americans in New Orleans had no extended family to go stay with, they had no mobility or sense of mobility and didn't have the money even if they had mobility. So it should be no surprise that they were in their homes when the levees broke. White folks for the most part are mobile, have extended families and have sufficient wealth to get the heck out of dodge.
I don't pretend that my generalizations are a one size fit all answer. Certainly they are not. There are plenty of African Americans and other minorities who have created wealth and opportunity for themselves. But I would suggest that the creation of those things is not only infrequent, but much harder overall.
Just my thoughts.
2006-09-25 22:45:15 · answer #2 · answered by KERMIT M 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have the choice to either die in Iraq or Afghanistan.
2006-09-25 21:20:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋