Are we ready as a society to abolish affirmative action?

Question

What's your stance and why?
Do we serve the ideals of equality better by getting rid of affirmative action or by mandating universities, corperations, etc, to meet quotas?

Answer 1

Affirmative Action in Colleges

If there truly was such a thing as equality Affimative Action would never have been needed. When there is true equality in all schools (funding and mentoring) from pre-k to highschool, then I will be the first to call for a nation wide vote.

If you get rid of Affirmative Action then you should also get rid of legacy spots and any scholarships that aren't based on Academic merit. The sports fans are gonna love that!

Affirmative Action in the workplace

It's not racism but a matter of prejudice in favor of certain groups that has brought this about. Managers tend to hire people who look like them (whether they are white, black, hispanic, or asian). It just so happens that most managers are white males because caucasians are the majority in the U.S.
By the way, it's white women who have benefited the most from Affirmative Action in the workplace.

Answer 2

Affirmative Action is racism, pure and simple. Granted, it's so-called "positive" racism - but it is still racism at it's most basic level by placing one's race in front of one's qualifications.

As such, Affirmation Action should be abolished. Racism is an evil and despicable activity and should be stamped out in the most effective method available, regardless of who is being racist and who the racism is benefitting.

Abolish Affirmative Action. And then test everyone who got a job or admitted into college because of Affirmative Action to see if they should indeed retain that position or remain in that school.

Our country has enough problems as it is without the Liberals undermining out workforce will ill-trained and inadequate workers simply because a business had to meet a quota and had to pass on a more qualified employee simply because of skin color.

Answer 3

Speaking as a minority, no! There will always be that percentage of our population who want to exclude anyone that does not look like them. Not everyone is educated to a point of tolerance and accepting people in jobs based solely on qualifications without thinking of race, religion or creed. And discrimation in hiring, lending or living where you wish and can afford is hard to prove, regardless of resume or good credit, it would leave too many people unprotected!! Don't get me wrong all I ask is a fair opportunity be given, nothing else but short of that Affirmative Action is necessary.

Answer 4

Yes. If we believe in true equality, we would shed this bigoted nonsense known as affirmative action.

I have always viewed affirmative action as an acceptance that some are naturally inferior and need a leg up. Seeing I believe in equality, I view this sentiment as nothing more than hidden bigotry and racism.

Answer 5

I will not call A.A. racism, but it is WRONG! Anytime any person that is better qualified through education and experience is overlooked because of A.A. it is wrong.
We live in the greatest country in the world. I like one of the previous answerer's quote of Martin Luther King. "I have a dream that one day men will be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." A man is only as good as his word until such time as his experience shows the content of his character. All of this is the long way of saying I believe anyone can make it if they work hard, get an education, and apply themselves persistently to succeed doing something that they love to do. That is what this country is about. Not a bunch of lib apologists that want to score points with minorities by giving them something for free.
One of the only libs I admire once said, "ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."
The libs have forgotten the words of one of their greatest statesmen and sold out to the entitlement society!

Answer 6

I wish we were--but we're not there yet.

Here's a fact that illustrates why: the KKK is not alive and well--it is growing.

In addition--you need to educate yourself--NO affirmative action program in the US uses quotas--that is illegal. Affirmative action simply means one (or a combination of ) three things:

1)Programs and procedures in an organizationto identify and remove unintended barriers to advancement by minorities.
2)Programs to identify and recruit qualified minority individuals
3) Mentoring/offset programs designed to counter educational and other disadvantages by giving otherwise qualified individuals an opportunity to "catch up."

The idea that AA involves the use of "quotas" or "reverse disccrimination" is simply propaganda from racists like the KKK. And completely false. In the rare instances when that does occur, the organization/individual is subject to legal action.

Answer 7

I think to judge a person "by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin" would be a step forward not a set backward.

Its time to put up or shut up. I think it is an insult to assume someone, because of their race, needs a helping hand. I understand prejudice has not gone away. But codifying prejudice by law doesn't nothing to reduce it.

Answer 8

I'm a democrat, not a socialist.

Yes. Get rid of it. But first build into the bill safeguards that raise the stakes for those who break the law by using their prejudice to guide their hiring practices when it is unjust (Why would we attack someone who hires people for a Chinese restaurant and gets sued by a white guy who thinks he should be given the job? That's silly).

We've done a great job so far, but let's not drop the ball, just because we aren't playing a broken game anymore.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, we are not.

You are asking a lot by asking certainly people to take responsibilities of their life decisions. You are asking a lot by asking certain people to face the reality. In fact, one can label you as a racist with your question. (Yes, it is that easy to label someone as a racist nowadays).

It is very unfortunate, but we will never be ready to abolish affirmative action...

Answer 10

Yes, Its a form of favoritism based on ones race or ethnicity. It had its place 10 years ago when only white males got priority. Times have changed and these practices have as as well. Just my opinion.