Is affirmative action a slap in MLK jr.s face?

Question

Doesn't affirmative action go against MLK's dream that all men be judged on the content of their character rather than the color of the skin. ? Why should someone receive preferential treatment because of their color?
And if the only argument you have is because of years of oppression of black people, save it. There are many black people who were never slaves nor were their ancestors. Also, there are many white people who never owned slaves and whose families never owned slaves.

My ancestors came to the US as slavery was being abolished. My grandmother cleaned houses for a living and worked side by side with white and black ladies.

Shouldn't we end affirmative action and treat people as individuals? Or do you think we should continue promoting racism through affirmative action?

Answer 1

Yes.

Especially in college admissions. On a top campus, if one sees a black student, however bright, one wonders if he "checked the box" and was admitted ahead of a white or asian student with higher SATs, grades, and all overall qualifications.

Regarding business. I was a mid level manger at an airline with 90,000 employees. They did employ preferential treatment with regard to hiring and promotion in managerial ranks. I've witnessed five, and all five men and women have fallen short. Each was promoted ahead of a clearly more qualified asian, white, or non-black candidate. One was asked to resign, the was fired for theft, and the remaining three were gently moved to other positions with as much face saving as posible.

Now, I run a small hedge fund, and I hire people based upon merit. Period. I detest bigotry, and afirmative action is counter productive to the spirit in which it was designed. Meaning, it creates resentment and questioning. "Did that person earn the promotion or admission?"

Answer 2

I do not think that people understand the meaning of affirmative action and what it is exactly. I am an HR director and part of my job is being well versed in affirmative action. Affirmative action does not have this quota. Affirmative action does not say that we must hire a man or a woman. It simply affirms that we cannot discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. If I were to hire all white males between the ages of 25-35 I could possibly be looked at. Yet, if I hired all black women between 25-35, there still would be consequence. Affirmative action leveled the playing field. Everyone has equal opportunity now. So I think MLK would have seen this as an awesome and neccessary step.

Answer 3

When affirmative action is banned so are a lot of cases where people could sue if they were not hired or not accepted based on the color of their skin. And it does happen.

Personally, I think you are secretly more concerned with yourself than improving race relations. That's a slap in MLK's face.

Answer 4

It is a slap in the face and a kick in the nuts. Think about what affirmative action is suggesting...that minorities can only get jobs if there are some set aside for them.
I think the intentions of the act were good, but ultimately, it backfired and is taking us backwards.

Answer 5

I'll support affirmative action as soon as the NBA does.

Answer 6

Aff. action is b.s. If some white person is better qualified than the black person or the mexican person, why does he lose out b/c of aff. action? Its just like you said, if thats the case then they are being judged on the color of their skin....