The stated goal of affirmative action is to counteract past and present discrimination sufficiently?

Question

The stated goal of affirmative action is to counteract past and present discrimination sufficiently that the power elite will reflect the demographics of society at large. My question to you then is, is affirmative action a good tool to help level the playing field, or does it play to the idea that people are different and should be treated differently.

Answer 1

The "level playing field" can only be achieved by treating everyone as equals. Discrimination, both positive and negative, does not help achieve a level playing field. The bad points of negative discrimination are obvious. Positive discrimination, even though well meaning, only results in the people it is aimed at feeling they never have to try to improve themselves or work hard because everything will be given to them anyway and also creates animosity from others who have worked hard but miss out as a result of AA.

Answer 2

Most of the educated minorities that I've spoken with find affirmative action insulting. Whatever the "stated goal" is, it also brings the "token" minority into a work environment even when they aren't competent to do the job. This results in resentments on both sides. The government tried to legislate the prejudices of the people, plain and simple, and it isn't working. There are those minorities who will apply for jobs that they know they are not qualified for, simply because that company is "under-represented". The position is filled by someone who is never considered an asset, reaffirming the original prejudice. Then, the minority who is qualified misses the opportunity.

Affirmative action does not counteract discrimination. It reaffirms the reasons for discrimination, and implies that minorities must be given a job out of charity, rather than having earned a place in the work environment. It doesn't level the playing field. In fact, it implies that they require special treatment based on their inferior capability, instead of being given the opportunity to compete for a job based on qualification.

I don't know anyone who got a job through affirmative action that remained satisfied in their position, or who was promoted to a top level after being there for the same time as their co-workers.

Answer 3

Affirmative action had its start long before the 20th century. In fact, it began around the 17th century when European indentured servants were replaced by African slaves. White Americans were given a head start with such moves as the 1830 Indian Removal Act, the 1862 Homestead Act, the 1790 Naturalization Act and much more. Nobody but white Europeans benefited from this affirmative action.

Racial preferences (for whites) continued right on up to 1962.

Racial preferencing has a long institutional history - a white institutional history. Government programs and practices channeled wealth and opportunities to white people at the expense and exclusion of others.

I am not altogether certain if affirmative action levels the playing field for people of color, but it sure did work for whites back then.


Hannah J Paul

Answer 4

My answer to you is, affirmative action is pure racism against white people. I know this is not a poplar belief among the STATE educated masses. The U.S. government gives huge grants to states that use affirmative action. The states are like sucking puppies the only thing that matters is getting the next grant! It will interesting to see what will happen with all the Mexicans flowing into the U.S. When the people who are now using affirmative action now will no longer be used for them, but instead affirmative action goes to the Mexicans. What then?

Answer 5

i might say slightly of the two. For the communities that are underrepresented, they too could be extra represented in the event that they cared adequate to get extra human beings of their reason, so which you are able to't incorrect the human beings that are over represented. And as far as suffering previous discrimination, I dont incredibly think of that has something to do with this. this is now, no longer then.

Answer 6

Reality is what it is. People are treated differently. And if you skin happens to be anything but white, you are treated worse than everyone else. So to even the scales, those people are given special attention. However, it fails to really solve the problem of bias and unfair racism.

Answer 7

No. Affirmitive action is stupid. It denies a more qualified individual a job because he's white or Asian. Slave owners BOUGHT slaves, they were regarded as property in those days. Blame the black tribes in Africa that sold their rivals into slavery. Affirmitive action is a way for lazy, racist blacks to fill their pockets while hijacking America.

What does that also say about blacks if they need affirmitive action to get a job?

Answer 8

No.many times people with greater GPA are passed over.
If fairness is wanted then all the highest GPA should be accepted with no care either way of race.

Answer 9

the "playing field" can only be truly leveled by competence.

Answer 10

shall we organize into groups and decide.conversation is an art!I love your point/question