what does affirmative action mean?

Question

from what I understand - it means that an employer may not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, religion (have I missed anything?) meaning a level playing field for all who apply based on skill alone. If this is so why is there such a negative response to affirmative action? also If someone who is less skilled - is hired then why be so harsh on affirmative action or the person who is hired? in the end is it not the employer who gets the final say?

Answer 1

Affirmative action refers to policies intended to promote access to education or employment aimed at a historically socio-politically non-dominant group (typically, minorities or women). Motivation for affirmative action policies is to redress the effects of past discrimination and to encourage public institutions such as universities, hospitals and police forces to be more representative of the population.

* basically it gives minorities special advantagess because of how they were discriminated in the past...EX: colleges acceptances, getting a job

Answer 2

Well, the way you worded this question says to me that you don't really know how affirmative action actually works. To answer your question, no, if a person is hired due to affirmative action, it does *not* mean they're not as "up to the task" as their White counterparts. Interestingly enough, it always seems that questions like this and the resulting comments always turn into rants about "reverse racism," "minority handouts," or "unqualified minorities being hired unfairly." For everyone who thinks of affirmative action this way, I have two questions: 1) Why is it that when someone benefits from affirmative action, some of you automatically assume that person is a minority as opposed to a disabled person, or a veteran, or even, say, a White woman? 2) Why do some of you automatically presume that if the candidate is a minority, he/she is underqualified? Affirmative action programs include, but are not exclusively for minorities. They also benefit women, people with disabilities, and veterans. Also, affirmative action does not dictate that a minority or female candidate should automatically be chosen over a White or male candidate. The way I understand it is this: Assuming all other factors are equal, the type of candidate that is underrepresented in the company should be chosen. For example, at the Cochran Firm, that person would not be a minority. At the National Council of La Raza, that person would not be a minority. At Essence Magazine, that person would not be a minority. At HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), that person would not be a minority. By the way, if you didn't already know, the primary beneficiaries of affirmative action programs are White women. Just my two cents. p.s. - Standing ovation to "neet"! I couldn't have said it better myself.

Answer 3

The original intent of Affirmative Action was to give everyone a chance, but over time it morphed into forcing employers to hire certain types of people in certain percentages. That's silly because we do not all excel equally in all areas, and the result of forcing employers like that can sometimes be literally unsafe when unqualified people are hired just to fulfill a quota.

Answer 4

It means if a white or black applies for scholarship or job, no matter the qualifications, the black will get it.