Do you think its racist to base affirmative action on race? Why not use economic need instead?

Question

I'll admit that economic need wouldn't be very practical for jobs, but it would work perfectly for school. When I say affirmitive action, I mean government-imposed minimums on the percentage of minorites required at an institution.

Before anyone calls me racist, let me give an example. The numbers are obviously skewed, but its just an example, so bear with me.

So you've got a college. The college can accept 1000 of its applicants. 1350 people apply. Among them are 1200 white people, and 150 minorites. Lets say the minority quota is 10%. Out of the applicants, 1000 white people and 90 minorites qualify for admission. That would mean that the school should only accept those 90 minorites who qualified, right? Nope. Law says there has to be at least 10%, which is 100 people. So the school has to lower its standards to allow more minorites. The minorites aren't stupid, there are just fewer applying. Is that fair to those - minority and white- who made it on their own?

Anyway, it isn't fair to those who did make it on their own. It also fosters resentment agianst the minorites, because, after all, some of them did have an easier time getting in. Basing it on economic need would help get poor people education without excluding anyone.

kayjay, I don't live in michigan. Its great to hear, but it dosen't really help me!

ILuvAmanda- you're an angel. Thank god for people like you... there is hope for the world. (whoever amanda is, she's lucky to have a guy like you!)

Answer 1

I definately agree. I am Mexican and, in my opinion, this program only serves as an insult to minority groups. In applying the affirmative action program to the admissions process, the government is saying that we cannot do it on our own so they're going to give us a stepping school to help us get there. I have managed to receive straight A's through these past few semesters and I work extremely hard for them. A program like this only undermines my ability and may also lead people to believe that I was only accepted to my school because of reverse-racism programs like affirmative action. Admissions should be based soley on merit and not on race. (theoretically speaking) If a white person and a black person were to apply to the same college with the exact same stats (and the school only had one spot left), the school (with the affirmative action program in play) would have to admit the black person because he is a minority. However, isnt this discriminating against the white race? It doesnt make sense to solve racism with racism

Answer 2

I think its very racist. People should get jobs or get into colleges based on accomplishments, grades, experience, test scores, and financial need. Affirmative action lowers standards all across the board. Also, in reply to ILuvAmanda, thank God for people like you! It's nice to know that there are still people out there that have a sense of pride and don't want a handout just because of their race. There should be more people in the world like you. Blessed Be!

Answer 3

What would be fair, is that we didn't have the need for Affirmative action. I wish nothing was based on race. People who work hard, should be rewarded. Besides it has been voted out. It no longer exist in Michigan. So really there is no need to worry about quotas.

Answer 4

wow... what a good head we got on those shoulders.
wish the South African Government could see it the same... AA (affirmative action) or BEE (black economic empowerment) as they call it is causing a lot of white's in RSA a lot of misery... some cant even get jobs and most are moving overseas in order to get better jobs... I frankly would rather be in post because I'm good at it, and not because I am/was previously disadvantaged.