I agree whole heartly.
but when ever I said it people kept calling me racist, so I stoped talking and allowed the shallow minded to wallow in their guilt, and entitlement issues.
Bye the bye, I don't know if this is why I was so quickly labled but i just happen to have been born a white male.
2006-09-27 08:32:31
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answer #1
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answered by Jimmy 4
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I think you raise good points, and I do not completely disagree with you, but I do disagree.
In a perfect world two equally qualified people will be jusdged on factors that do not include race, this is not that perfect world, thus one of the arguements to keep A.A.
Secondly, and I think more importantly, affirmative action is still need to level the playing field. Due to the overwhelmingly large disproportionate distribution of affluence in our country, due to the fact that there is very little progressive changes in class from one generatino to the next (The American dream has never really existed, but is now pretty much a thing of the past), due to the fact that these non-white people still make up the majority of people living below the poverty line, and several other factors we need programs to make sure that all people are given an equal chance.
Growing up an upper-middle class white male gives me several advantages that I have in no way earned. I can go into an interview with that card being played whether I want it or not, perception is what is important not fact. If we look at this as a score based perspective, I ahve no problem with the idea that people who are raised with "disadvantages" are given some extra points, I do not mind because I do believe that I am in no way any better than poor people, or women or a non-white person, but the world might perceive that I am.
I long for a day when Affirmative action is a thing of the past and is something that we can look at easily and say its time has passed, colleges and employers would never pick a white male with slightly less qualifications than a black woman, employers would never look at two equally qualified people and pick the whitest, but we are not there yet, closer than we were in some ways, further in others.
I have rambled a lot, I hope my point is clear though, I do not like Affirmative Action but I fear what the US would become without it.
2006-09-27 08:38:41
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answer #2
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answered by Steven K 3
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Because I live in the United Kingdom where we do not have such a system, my experience is slightly different. However, I did live in Nigeria where there used to be something similar. It was called a quota system, where the different tribal groups that made up the country were allocated a set number of positions in the national government or at federal universities etc in order to ensure equality.
Based on what I do know of affirmative action, it did serve a purpose. I also believe that although there was a level of discrimination involved the recipients still had to achieve or exhibit a certain level of proficiency or ability in order to earn the placement. So although on one hand there is an element of discrimination on the other hand there is an element of meritocracy.
The problem that I have with the system is that it could potentially lead to an 'entitlement or right mentality' by the recipient group. Not too disimilar to the way that people on long term government benefit/social security perceive the hand-out they recieve. The correct attitude would be to regard this, and rightly so, as a 'leg up' or helping hand, if you wish.
Another problem that can be associated with this system is the recipient group can begin to think that mediocrity is accepatble as a way of life. High standards will be regarded as a deliberate effort to prevent them from achieving. Meanwhile as this goes on for a while the group as a whole begins to suffer economically and socially.
On a more cynical note, one could also make the claim that it is a system put in place by liberal white folks who are trying to pay some kind of penance for the sins of their ancestors towards the black man in America.
You are very correct in saying that people should be assessed soley on their abilities and experience rather than their sex or race. The unfortunate thing is that the world we live in is lot more complex, and sometimes programmes like this are the only way to sort of level the playing field.
I hope this helps.
2006-09-27 09:07:09
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answer #3
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answered by walebello2001 1
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It's only my opinion, but if I could, I would ban affirmative action. If you can't get into college, or get a job or whatever based on your own merit, then you shouldn't have be accepted or hired. Too many people in this country are playing the "race card", believing that they are owed something because they are not white. But when a white person tries to do the same thing, it's looked at with disgust. Why should anyone be treated differently? Isn't that the actual point of affirmative action? Insuring that everyone gets an equal opportunity? With affirmative action, there is no such thing as equal opportunity, when any given number or percent of the total is designated for a particular race or sex. Affirmative action, in my opinion is unfair, and racist.
2006-09-27 08:29:57
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answer #4
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answered by iceprincess_12_04 3
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Affirmative action is needed at the beginning of any new opportunity that is unfairly closed down for certain population groups, but once representatives from those groups get employed in reasonable proportions or numbers affirmative action for that opportunity should be discontinued.
Most jobs and colleges have had enough of affirmative action in place for the more common minority groups such that those jobs and colleges no longer need to continue the affirmative action for those groups. The role models are in place and they can help bring up their own group. Maybe other smaller groups that remain without jobs and education they want and deserve should still get the help from affirmative action policies, but not the larger minority groups. It is better for those established opportunities to admit/hire solely on demonstrated abilities to do/learn the work/topic instead of racial/ethnic sub group identity that is unrelated to the task or study. Reverse discrimination that puts someone in a position who is less able to do the work just because of their subgroup identity is alive and well in the United States and should be discontinued. It only lowers standards and makes the USA less competitive in the world market.
2006-09-27 08:42:31
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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I think Affirmative Action should be done away with. Yes, it was good at the time to get African Americans into white collar jobs when they were being denied that even if they were qualified, however, it's not needed anymore. I think that if you are qualified then you will get the job. I would be VERY upset if I ws passed up, just because I was white. All it is is reverse discrimination.
2006-09-27 09:00:45
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answer #6
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answered by jdecorse25 5
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I've been around a long time and remember the civil rights struggles of the 60's. I think affirmative action was good and necessary at that time to give minorities a boost. But now I think it's time is over, and we should mostly scrap it. Everyone really does have a chance at jobs and education now. And, yes, I know poor black kids in the poor areas seem to have less opportunity, but I believe Bill Cosby. The white establishment has done as much as we can, now it is up to them to raise themselves up out of the ghetto.
2006-09-27 08:30:30
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answer #7
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answered by Artsy Lady 2
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I think that is not only discrimination, but the worst service done to minorities ever. One of the things in which we all people are equal is that all of us require pressure, tension, in order to be better people, to do better things. That's built into our systems probably in order to make us discover things. Now when you are given the right to get something with less effort... guess what... You DO apply less effort. I am sure all races are equal in capacity... but evidently in America not in our achievements and at this point to blame it on slavery is at the least funny. So think of welfare and Affirmative Action as possible reasons. Does that make sense?
2006-09-27 09:00:43
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answer #8
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answered by Wikiped2000 1
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I totally agree with you. I'm total white, European descent, but when I was younger, my step-dad *who's Puerto-Rican* told my mom he could get me into a university using affirmative action. I never had any interest in college and to this day I think about what could have happened had I done that....meandered around while someone who was way more qualified and wanted to be there was turned down.
2006-09-27 08:27:15
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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If certain citizens in a country were previously disadvantaged, i.e. in south africa, then yes, AA is acceptables, but when it gets to the point that it has reached the aim of it's original plan, and it still continues(in SA) then it should be stopped
2006-09-27 08:29:58
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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