Do minorities even like affirmative action?

Question

It seems that it would be insulting to a minority for people to think that they got their job or education simply because of their skin color. I'd want people to know I got it because I deserved it. It also seems to breed racism because whites view minorities that have attained higher status (job or education) with suspicion. What do you think?

Answer 1

I think you misunderstand affirmative action. People are not hired or admitted to college solely on the basis of their race or ethnic background. They still have to be qualified for the position, or have the grades to qualify for admission. But if there are two qualified applicants, and one of them is under-represented in the work force or in the educational setting, then the "minority" candidate is to receive preference.

Your attitude demonstrates how far we have to go in this country to eliminate racism and prejudice, because you assume that a person of color who holds a prestigious position got there not because they were intelligent or worked hard, but because they somehow sneaked in. How insulting.

Answer 2

Perhaps we need to think of affirmative action for minorities as the antithesis of the affirmative actions that has served affluent whites throughout history.

Take George Bush for example. He is living proof that inferior qualifications can certainly equate to social promotion for the common good of our country. We need to level the playing field, don't we?

Bush was actually rejected by the University of Texas. His SAT scores were 566 verbal and 640 in math and his high school grades were marked by nothing exemplary. Yet despite this, he got in Yale. Apparently, Yale's standards are lower than University of Texas. Once at Yale, his C average earned him entry into Harvard's presitigious MBA program. It's nice to know that Harvard gives the intellectually underpriveleged a leg up.

Based on personal experience, I've seen it all the time. Affluent whites who are handicapped by their own stupidity, or affinity for drunkenes overwhelmingly demonstrate this idea. How many trust-fund babies do we all know of who fail out of school after a semester of two of partying only to receive a second, or even a third chance at some Ivy League school? I can only wonder how many college credits are essentially wasted? How many classroom seats are vacant from late morning hangovers could be filled by the poorer, yet more studious youngster?

So when we see affluent whites getting jobs they don't have the qulifications for, or getting into colleges only because their great grandfather doanted a science wing to be named after the family, we should not for a second believe that these types of affirmative action could breed contempt or even racism.

I think we're all above that type of thinking, regardless of those who might feel insulted.

Answer 3

Affirmative action is nothing but government supported racism. I like the idea that the government is taking steps to eliminate racism in the job environment, but they're doing it the wrong way. If someone is more qualified for a job, they should get that job regardless of what color their skin is.

Answer 4

As I've answered here before...

By definition, you cannot "affirm" something unless you "deny" it's alternative. While affirmative action may or may not be seen as acceptable by the minorities it purports to help, it's totally unacceptable to all who were denied an opportunity.

I have this strange vision of America two-hundred years from now having to give my great-great grandchildren preferential treatment because their non-minority ancestors were once victimized by affirmative action!

Wouldn't that be stupid?

Answer 5

Affirmative action includes other considerations beyond skin color such as gender and age.

When free market capitalism is working properly, only competent people are retained in a company. Competency is color blind.

AA has its place but like any other idealistic social program it has some bad mixed in with all of the good.

Answer 6

I'm hispanic and a woman. I agree with you completely and think it's sad how affirmative action has ruined minorities. Whites think minorities can only obtain good jobs because of skin color and I detest this. I don't blame them, I blame the government. The racial quotas are horrible and is racist against whites.

Answer 7

I have read the answers and you have been called a racist. That is disappointing.
I think that in today's world AA is not needed.
All Americans are given opportunities to succeed on their own merit.
AA just leads to more divisiveness and racism because of it's preference for minorities.

Answer 8

Affirmative action, like other programs tailored for minorities, are ultimately degrading and serve to disempower the recipient rather than help.

These programs, just like welfare, are designed to provide a boost up, but really make the recipients dependent upon them. The programs themselves cater to an underlying prejudice that is insulting. Many of the programs in effect say, "you aren't as smart" or "you don't have the same opportunity".

Answer 9

nicely I hate it and that i hate the appearance i'm getting from youthful black adult males like they're getting over. i become a majority black club the place i become attacked with a pool stick I disarmed them, in assessment to at a white club the place human beings scatter or back their acquaintances i become status 9 deep. besides I made it out un harmed, they have been fortunate i don't play and truthfully do not care if i'm alive or lifeless anymore. To wit: I truthfully have been discriminated against all my existence and paid for my education one hundred% and now human beings get tax good offs. besides this united states has screwed me.

Answer 10

NO, I think that affirmative action has outlived it's usefulness.