Why is it that Affirmative Action bother so many white people,when it fact it just levels the playing field a bit
I mean , doesns't just being white alone allows you all to
enjoy more opportunities?
2007-07-27 07:47:37 · 22 answers · asked by Joel r 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I can see the argument from both perspectives, and I'm a black woman.
I agree with affirmative action only because we live in such a racist society, alot of white owned businesses will NOT hire someone because they are black, period. It wouldn't matter how many skills they have, their racist views would overpower any logical thinking.
I disagree with affirmative action because it is not fair for a black person to get a job just because he's/she's black, when a white applicant is more qualified.
If the world wasn't as racist as it is, then this wouldn't even be an issue, but the fact remains that people are racist, so if this is the only way to make it as equal as possible for all races, then so be it.
2007-07-27 07:59:23 · answer #1 · answered by CJ 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't actually level the playing field, just reduces the competition to get on it, my misspelling friend.
In many ways it lowers the bar so minorities can get a foot in the door who couldn't otherwise. Now in many cases, the minorities who got in are actually fully qualified for the positions and academic spots they receive and they do well in them, but there have been cases where better qualified non minorities have been kicked out of the running in the name of diversity.
The reason that the debate on Affirmative Action continues is that when it was originally institituted, minorities could not get a fair shot at getting into college or getting jobs...partially because many didn't have and couldn't get the education needed and because of residual racial biases from the pre- and post-Civil Rights movement.
But supposedly now this shouldn't be the case, at least in the US. Education is accessible to anyone who wants it (badly enough), prejudices have relaxed (albeit not entirely in some parts), and enforceable laws have been passed that make discrimination of any kind a punishable offense. Essentially it's a very different world now and it seems more appropriate that people should compete for jobs and higher education based on their own merit , and not get in on a free pass whether they're qualified or not.
2007-07-27 08:08:56 · answer #2 · answered by Chanteuse_ar 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because some white people are too ignorant and deny to see black and people of color struggles in America. All they see are blacks being lazy and trying to get special treatment for being black and its just another petty thing they cant get over . They would say things like "Affirmative action should never happen it should be based on character not on the color skin." and their exactly right but unfortunately that just doesn't happen.
When a black person is more qualified for a job then a white person going for the same job at the same time the chances are it will go to the white person because he is simply white. That is why this was even created because this is the sad truth in America. The chances are a white employer will pick a white employee. Also, don't pay any mind to some of these answers like "it should based on character" or"blacks get special privilege, actually whites are the minorities!" good chance that these answers are coming from petty conservatives who believe there shouldn't be well fare because they should get off their lazy asses and get a job without any sort of trouble or medicate shouldn't exists this will only keep poor people from getting a job afford for some one to help them.
2007-07-27 08:12:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Unearned priveledge? Like black people getting extra points for a civil service exam? Like a company giving a job to a black man or to a woman because they have to meet hiring quotas? Oh yeah, I see white people having tons of unearned priveledges. Every job or scholarship should be awarded solely on the ability to do the job and not some affirmative action program. If a white person is more qualified then so be it. However if a person of another race is more qualified then they should in turn get the job. Let's not "dumb down" America anymore than it already is shall we?
2007-07-27 08:05:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Actually the whole concept of affirmative action was to get minorities on the right track. Take for example when slavery ended. Blacks were finally allowed to be educated. But schools would only take the best of the best. Since blacks had no prior education they would never be accepted to any school nor could they pass on any education to their children. Without affirmative action, African Americans would never have gotten in the loop. However the playing field has been leveled. There is no longer a need for affirmative action, as plenty of minories are smart enough to get jobs, education, etc without the help of affirmative action. Right now it is only telling lazy people that we will take care of you because of your skin color and ignore this other person who has worked their butt off and is better qualified. Its fighting discrimination with discrimination and its time to get rid of it.
2007-07-27 07:55:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
It's funny how ppl on here are borderline racist & don't even realize it. Almost every single response against AA assumed that the black person only got the job b/c they were black.
There is still racism in this country and truth be told there ARE black ppl who are more qualified than whites in their fields, but who would be denied the job based solely on the color of their skin.
I find it condescending for ppl to believe that the only way a black could get the job is b/c they're black. Ppl who want to say that it's a level playing need to think again.
How many black Presidents of the US have we had, how many other minorities? I don't know how that could be a level playing field.
2007-07-27 08:21:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
No. As a White I worked hard for what I have. No royal family here. Someties affirmative action harms the people it was designed to protect. Just think carefully about it. I am out of here I am not comfortable with Politics.... can never get it right as long as we all look different.
2007-07-27 08:23:38 · answer #7 · answered by Rooikat 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It does not level the playing field. All it does is ensure that people who are unqualified get the opportunities. Maybe that is what you want.
Wasn't it Martin Luther King who said, let people be judged by the contact of their character not the color of their skin? Yet you want that to be the deciding factor.
It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that affirmative action is an idea whose time has past. People should be allowed to stand on who they are, not what group they were born into.
You sir are just making excuses.
2007-07-27 08:22:16 · answer #8 · answered by krupsk 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes.
The problem is what AA does to the non-whites. A culture of Entitlement and Victimization.
If you really want excellence, you have to make the rules the same for everyone.
I think there's opportunity for everyone in America.
BTW, I'm white.
2007-07-27 07:53:54 · answer #9 · answered by Callen 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Excuse me, being white does not make anything easier. Affirmative action is making things easier for minorities. There is very little to no "groups" or "organizations" to help people who are white. I am white and I have faced hardships that would shock people. It is unfair to assume that white people have things easier than others. Have you considered that possibly white people are missing out on job opportunities that they are well qualified for because the company has to have a certain percentage of minorities working for them? It would "bother" me to know I was more qualified to do the job I applied for but it was given to someone else based on affirmative action laws. It has not happened to me to my knowledge but it would bother me. Put yourself in others shoes before making remarks and posting questions that make you look ignorant. Good jobs come after good educations. What type of opportunities are you referring to? I would love to hear them seeing as how I don't see them... As a matter of a fact, scholarships are granted every semester to minority students to help them gain a better skills through education. I have worked in the financial aid office at my local college before and literally half of the grants were to African Americans instead of others even though they needed it just as bad.
2007-07-27 08:15:24 · answer #10 · answered by M. Nurse 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋