Wednesday, October 12, 2011

THE DEBATE OVER AFFIRMATIVE ACTION


Because Freedom Can't Protect Itself- ACLU


The United States has had a long history of recorded battles, struggles, and hardships. Although it was founded on the basis of life, liberty, and justice for all, the laws implemented refused giving the citizens rights that they were owners of. Sexism, discrimination, and slavery were some of the issues that plagued the society at different points in the past. Eventually, the government sought to reform these problems. It established additional laws to counter them. To reduce prejudice and discrimination, the Executive Order 10925 was passed. Over the years, it was altered to best fit the people. Today, this law is known as affirmative action, a policy that increases representation of women and minorities in race. Basically it ensures the right of equal opportunity for all races and genders in education, employment, and government.
A few states, Michigan, California, Washington, and Texas, have banned affirmative action. In Oklahoma, the debate has begun once again on whether affirmative action should be implemented. State Question 759, prohibiting equal opportunities for women and minorities, will appear on 2012’s ballot. Why is it that an increasing number of the population has become against affirmative action? This is because there is more to it than what meets the eye.
Following are some of the arguments against affirmative action.


1. It is unfair for a person to be judged on their race. Who a person is cannot be controlled. Colleges and the government should look at an applicant’s scores, integrity, and competency instead of his or her gender or race. It is inappropriate for a certain race to have advantages that the other does not.


2. Affirmative action leads to reverse discrimination. White males are not being given their right of equal opportunity. For example, a white, hard-working student and a black, lethargic student both apply for college. The college will most likely choose the black student in order to follow the policy and to promote diversity in the college. How is this fair for the white student?


3. Minorities and women are only chosen to complete the policy of affirmative action, not based on their merits. Affirmative action angers a large number of people because it makes them feel that they were accepted to college or in government just because of who they were. They do not want to seem undermined or inferior to the whites.  
Although the number of people against affirmative action continues to grow, the larger population continues to support it. These are their reasons:


1. Diversity is needed to counter discrimination. If students learn in a multi-cultural society, then it will reduce discrimination. Opinions about minorities are often stereotypical. Affirmative action will help students learn about other races and understand that all the races are like each other.


2. Students that are at a disadvantage are given a boost.  Minority students often come from a low class society and usually are not given opportunities that other students have. Affirmative action ensures the right of equal opportunity. It guarantees that no child is left behind.


3. Affirmative action brings people to areas of study that they might never have and increases representation in government. In the past, women did not have the right to work as doctors, engineers, scientists, and more. Now a growing number of fields are becoming filled with women. In fact, in 2009, a Hispanic woman, Sonia Sotomayor, became the Supreme Court’s first Hispanic Justice.


These were the arguments on the debate over affirmative action. Both sides have valid points to contribute. It just depends on which side has a stronger effect on the people.

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