Is Affirmative Action Necessary?

Question

Read the following Article doesn't it sum up the need for Affirmative Action in America?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/rss/pto-20030430-000001.html
Cleary, when the MOST QUALIFIED person is black, they are still not hired; don't even attempt to pay that argument lip service.

What is "patronizing" is telling 'Tyrone', "sorry you just aren't what we are looking for," only to tell Brad "you are a shoe in for the job." They are the same exact person, only the name and others perception of race has changed. As for other employees 'ASSuming' that blacks are 'Affirmative Action Hirees,' and thereby less competent; these people are not impartial and obviously prejudice in the first place. These are the very same folks who threw Lakishas application in the trash the moment they saw her name.

B.kirvor: you stated "Conversely, if AA had never been instituted, wouldn't smarter employers have, for decades, looked at the resumes of people they suspected might have faced discrimination, and concluded that they must have greater drive, ambition and potential than someone who faced no such obstacles but was no more accomplished? " So are we to conclude that being discriminated against your entire life is really some sort of "blessing in disguise?" Whew!?
Isn't more reasonible to say the same way Blacks are discriminated against in employment, is mirrored in academia?

JD: The Article is about call backs, the people never met the interviewees. So, your example is not a valid counterexample. Secondly, I suspect you are racist, the 'ax' instead of 'ask' is just a smokescreen that racist white people use to conjure up a trival objection to justification for their racism. Nice try JD.

Answer 1

This is a very difficult topic. Who would you give the advantage to in a job interview, assuming everyone had equal qualification?

Black male from a wealthy, well-known family
White female from a poor, unknown family

Answer 2

AA is, at best, a necesary evil. Let's get that straight: Affirmative Action is legally mandated racism. Racism is evil, right? Ergo, AA is evil. Like legally mandated murder (AKA executions), it may have a place in a society, if it's necessary, but if it can be dispensed with, it'd be a good thing.

I'm afraid that the studies mentioned in that article may actually be noting the consequences of affirmative action, rather than the need for it. If employers are aware that, for decades, affirmative action policies have been getting less capable students into more prestigeous schools, and less qualified candidates into jobs, then wouldn't they look at the resume of someone they suspect might have benefitted from affirmative action with more suspicion than that of someone they had reason to believe was being held back by the same policies?

Conversely, if AA had never been instituted, wouldn't smarter employers have, for decades, looked at the resumes of people they suspected might have faced discrimination, and concluded that they must have greater drive, ambition and potential than someone who faced no such obstacles but was no more accomplished?

It's too late to find out, since AA was instituted. But, it's never too late to end racism.

Answer 3

I don't find this to be true in my personal experience. There are always exceptions to the rule, but most companies are voluntarily equal opportunity employers. They prefer to hire "diversity candidates."

I am a firm believer in a meritocracy. Sure, I could benefit from the fact that I look dark (I'm actually Italian) and that I'm a woman, but I don't. If a company wants to lose out on an excellent employee because he or she is white or black or Hispanic or Jewish, then let the company lose out! A business will never compete successfully if every employee has to meet a certain set of rigid requirements that doesn't even pertain to the job. I am against any government-sponsored discrimination, including that discrimination that supposedly 'helps' people. It's patronizing! Not only is affirmative action more or less unnecessary, but it's also insulting and unethical.

Answer 4

Affirmative Action? Hmmm. Was slavery "necessary?" Is racism real? Do employers hire family and friends? Do Ivy League Schools discriminate? Are white Americans still the richest people in the Country? Has there ever been an African American President? What are the poorest countries in the world? Did England, France, America, Portugal, Rome and Spain benefit from slavery and colonization of Africa, India and China? OK class...now is Affirmative Action necessary?

Thanks good luck!

Answer 5

necessary by way of disfavor they'd get carry of in any different case. while a trend of minority discrimination replaced into properly universal, regulations that required balanced variety have been warranted. yet not plenty to any extent further by way of fact the blatant discrimination of the previous is often (yet not completely) interior the previous. So affirmative action at the instant isn't plenty quotas and ratios, that is all approximately giving the deprived a leg up. there is not something racist approximately it. Affirmative action applies to females, the disabled, and older workers to boot as deprived minorities.

Answer 6

No it is not necessary.I'm white and it's almost impossible to find a job where I live.Most of the jobs that we used to do are now done by people who aren't even American citizens so what are you complaining about?It happens to everybody not just blacks!
We need to make it to where everybody has a fair chance at obtaing a job not just so called minorities.
And the ones with the proper education should have first consideration instead of someone who is willing to work for cheaper wages or has the right skin color.
Affirmative action is a joke,white people are no longer the ones who find it the easiest to seek employment.
Now it's the illegals.

Answer 7

While I am conservative in most answers, as a HR professional I am actually PRO Affirmative Action.

While I am not a fan of quotas in general, the bottom line is that racism--institutional and otherwise--DOES exist. In some places more than others. And it's been that way for centuries. SO if AA helps someone get a job they deserve and are qualified for, so be it.

But don't get me wrong. There are down sides too. THe automatic assumption that the person of color was only hired because the color of their skin and a govt quota does NOT add to their professional credibility. And so they may get the job, but they aren't always included.....and their success can be compromised. There is no question that AA is a double edged sword.....and I've seen and heard arguments both pro and con from individuals of all races.

Answer 8

There are more things that go into the decision making process for hiring people then simply their ethnic background. Two people walk into my office, both College Graduates one had a 3.3 GPA and the other one had a 3.6 GPA, the one with a 3.3 GPA dressed properly for the interview, spoke with impeccable English, was knowledgeable about the company he applied to, Thanked me for my time of conducting the interview. And the guy with the 3.6 walked in wearing baggy pants, baseball cap on backwards, slouched in the chair when he sat down, used the word "ax" when he should have been using "ask", was more concerned with the benefit package and vacation time then he was with the product he would represent, Kept looking at his watch during the interview, This very scenario has happened at my company and I hired the guy who had a 3.3 GPA...The fact he was black and the other guy was white had nothing to do with my decision.

Answer 9

I don't believe that is the truth in most cases, sorry. Further, Affirmative Action over looks the most qualified individuals in favor of the "Black guy." That's racism pure and simple. Either you're for racism or against it. You can't be against it when it hurts you and for it when it helps you. It doesn't work that way.

Answer 10

I didn't need to read your link to know prejudice is still alive and strong.I'm white and have kids who are native American and a black granddaughter.All excellent and smart.Yet some feel they need to degrade them.I try not to let them get discouraged.I explain peoples ignorance and tell them yes they will have to work harder just to be recognized as the wonderful people they are.This also holds true for some whites.I was raised poorer than dirt in a small town where name meant everything.I CHOSE to rise above it.I worked hard and sometimes,many times cried myself to sleep for the injustice of it all.But I wouldn't let them beat me.Now when I visit my mom in that town I hold my head high.I HAVE MADE SOMETHING OF MYSELF.No one helped me no one held my hand.I have a better education than those yahoos and a much better job.We make our own destiny's.Sometimes things seem unfair.But rise above it.Don't let it destroy you.In the end you will have the last laugh.And as far as affirmative action,would you really want the job if they had been forced to hire you?Or would you rather wait and get a job that appreciates you as a human being?Believe me I know your pain.I see my kids cry and want to rip someones head off but I know they themselves will prevail because they are strong.Have pride in who you are and believe me someday you will shine. Take care and stay strong !