Why are Republicans against Affirmative Action when this act was created by them in the 60's?

Question

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/31/opinion/31BASS.html?ex=1369800000&en=0bee1ec1cc75ad1b&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND

Answer 1

Many have come to realize that Affirmative Action doesn't work. Firstly, any practice/policy which employs discrimination cannot possibly help to solve the problem of discrimination. Discrimination is discrimination regardless of which groups are receiving preferential treatment. Secondly, Affirmative Action cannot possibly benefit all minorities. It can't guarantee that equal numbers of each minority group are hired by each employer and admitted to each school. What's more, it's only legal for an employer to make racial inquiries AFTER someone has been hired (for the purpose of for Affirmative Action plan statistics). So, then, how is an employer to go about hiring minorities? The answer is appearance. And the problems with using appearance as a means by which to determine someone's race are that (1) such guesses are likely to be inaccurate more often that not, and (2) this method promotes gross race based generalizations (example- "Mr. Simpson has kinky hair and a big nose, so he must be of black African descent.").

I could continue all day, but I'll simply conclude by saying the following: As a woman, I can honestly say that I don't want my gender to be considered in the areas of work and education. I want only my qualifications to be considered. If they (my qualifications) don't make the cut, I don't deserve to take the "spot" from a more deserving man. Our legal system welcomes everyone, regardless of race or gender, to file suit if or when we feel that we have been wrongfully denied employment or terminated. I suggest that people exercise that right rather than expecting the government to use so-called preventives that have never worked and never will.

Answer 2

Affirmative Action...

Anyone who feels the United States Constitution should provide equal protection under the law should be appalled by any law that gives preferential treatment solely based on something as trivial as race.

There are few, if any, who feel that slavery was justifiable. The majority of US citizens today feel that what happened was wrong, but realisticly, there is no way to undo what was done. There is no amount of money that will change history.

There have been Republicans who have reached prominence through bigotry...but there are just as many Democrats who have done the same. Racism is not exclusive to or monopolized by African-Americans/Blacks.

Any time a person is identified solely on race, it's racism- I don't care who's doing the talking. Presently, Hispanics are being used, but that's an issue for another discussion.

Laws should be fair and just laws. Affirmative action is flawed in that it promotes minorities and sets a quota. That is neither fair nor just...

Do not be fooled by give-aways. You can earn more than they can ever give you- and usually if someone is offering something, chances are you deserve more than what you'll get.

Answer 3

haven't read the article yet, but i can tell you why i disagree with it [affirmative action]...
[1] - it divides people based on race.
[2] - it gives advantage based on ethnicity, not capability

i can't say it's ALWAYS been a bad thing, perhaps it was needed in the past due to, well, basically the junk people had to put up with when being a racist or a bigot was (in the gov't or other) commonplace. i can't tell ya 'bout that one, didn't live during the time (i'm 28).
i CAN tell you that, like many left-ish side ideas, intentions were good - but today it does nothing more than create a deeper rift by almost forcing people to seperate themselves based on nothing more than race.
i'm gonna get a heck of a lot of thumbs down from both sides when i say this, but: i honestly look forward to the day when race isn't an issue... when we're all a bunch of mutts, and (wow, how left am i sounding right now - somebody grab the peace pipe) you CAN'T discriminate against others because that "race" is also part of your "race"... as opposed to how it is now, with gov't TELLING you can't & making laws that divy up Americans into seperate catergories & play on the emotions and needs of people... people who need something more than what they'll get from programs/bills/lawsacts like affirmitive action - simply because those in power who create such things want to make sure people are still in need.
... i apoligize if i got off on a tangent there, i'm not even going back to re-read what i wrote there - as i'll just keep goin' on about it - i am just so tired of seeing people with good hearts get sucked into the twisted words that liberals.
... i will say that, though i haven't completely thought it thru', i am almost for 'economic affirmitive action'... but unfortunately, with the moral and values system in our country - it's only going to end up rewarding people who exploit it...
long story short - i'm against giving people advantages because they're a certain race/sex/etc. it would be nice if there were no checkboxes at all.

Answer 4

Initially, Affirmative Action was a good cause. Yes, blacks and other minorities officially became equal to whites, but we needed something to help them become equal in oportunity in reality. This was so in the 60s and maybe even 70s. It is 2007. We are equal. Officially and in reality. Affirmative action is no longer needed. Everybody attends the same schools, rides the same school buses, can apply for the same jobs (if qualified in merit). Nowadays, AA disgraces the merit system. It smacks minorities in the face by telling them that they are not intellectually equal. In reality, they are. Universities and jobs need only the merit based system. We are officially a melting pot, so naturally there will be diversity. There is no need for AA. If you make teh cut, you make the cut. If you dont, you dont. AA allows some to slide by, which was helpful in the 60s but hurtful now. Now, any law of govt benefits that include race as a factor should be discarded.

Answer 5

i do no longer CARE which party invented DISCRIMINATION in choose of on team based on the reality human beings such as them have been as quickly as discriminated against. i've got confidence human beings ought to discriminate on the muse of benefit, no longer ANY style of 'team id'. You state "Micheal Steele is likewise helps Affirmative action" i do no longer think you. Please state the place he supported it. Any source i will't INDEPENDENTLY study isn't a source. "Then I pay attention alot of lawsuits approximately how there's a naacp and not a waacp" i be attentive to you made that up. The NAACP is the "nationwide association for the progression of coloured human beings". A 'white' equivalent woud be the NAAWP, no longer the WAACP. A White association for the progression of coloured human beings, if it existed, would not be a racist corporation.

Answer 6

AA had it's place in history. We've come a hell of a long way since the 60s.

Have you ever been the "token" female at a job? I have, and it's an experience I do *not* care to repeat. I prefer to be hired on my merits, not because I'm a woman.

Answer 7

"Affirmative Action" goes against the very fabric of the United States.

If you are talking about government jobs then the best person for the job should be hired regardless of color, ethnicity, religion, etc.

If you are talking about a private company, they should be able to hire anyone for any reason and let people go for any reason.

Our country was setup for the government not to discrimate. Private people can discriminate as much as they want.

Afirmative Action is another worthless government attempt at trying to do something for the sake of doing something. It is not needed and clearly should be abolished.

Answer 8

I believe in one race........the human race. Affirmative action doesnt work. Male CEO's are still making millions more compared to women doing the same job. White or black it doesnt matter. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer no matter what race you are.......and no one seems to get that.

Americans tend to get lost on the tangents and they become like hamsters on the exercise wheel. Americans are like this for a reason.......so that the things that really matter get over looked until its to late for us to do anything about it. ...except another civil war. It is coming. Most think we are fighting to keep terroist overseas when our own govt has already sold us out.

Answer 9

Before the 1960's the Republicans were the liberal party and the Democrats were the conservatives. The 60's was when they swapped.

Answer 10

Because everything has changed since the 60's