Why Is Affirmative Action Such a Divisive Issue - 2126 Words

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: WHY IS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SUCH A DIVISIVE ISSUE? Affirmative Action: Why is Affirmative Action Such a Divisive Issue? Introduction â€Å"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of it’s creed: â€Å" We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.† Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King stated this in his famous â€Å"I have a Dream† speech in Washington, D.C. in 1963. Is affirmative action still necessary in United States? (Wikipedia, 2007) In order to even begin to understand the underlying principle behind affirmative action, there need to be a clear grasp of what is being discussed. It is important to first define the intentions and the foundation of†¦show more content†¦Nor is it government sanctioned racism, sexism, or a rejection of American principles. (Clayton, 2003) However, opponents of affirmative action argue that it is based on collectivism and merely form discrimination because it can result in qualified applicants being denied entry to higher education or employment because they belong to a particular social group, regardless of social standing or financial need. They contend that affirmative action is discriminatory and that in result in the promotion of under-qualified individuals over higher qualified individuals on the basis on race, ethnicity, and gender. Those supporting it state that it is necessary for impartiality and fairness. (Clayton, 2003) The controversy surrounding affirmative action is directly related to public perceptions or misperceptions. The lack of specific guidelines for the implementation of affirmative action has led to difference in actual practice.The points of controversy both for and against affirmative action includes the following: 1. Opponents of affirmative action claims that it divides society along lines of race, ethnicity, gender, and nationality by creating groups whose membership is determined by those labels. (Fish , 2000) However, the program cannot simply be eliminated because it makes people aware of racial conflicts. Supporters argue that labels serve to place achievement in contexts of cultural strengths and that minority status is aShow MoreRelatedAffirmative Action Is Not A New Concept Essay2025 Words   |  9 Pages An important controversy in the United States today is that of affirmative action. Affirmative action is a set of procedures, laws and policies with the intent to eliminate forms of discrimination. In recent years affirmative action has focused on racial preferences in college admissions resulting in the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action in 2013. 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That is also the reason that Proposition 209 was voted for in 1996.   These two historical events are driven by the desire of equality.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What is Affirmative Action?   According to Geraldine Leshin, it is Taking positive or active stepsRead More Affirmative Action Essay2990 Words   |  12 Pages Affirmative action is the nation’s most ambitious attempt to redress its long history of racial and sexual discrimination, however in modern times and approximately forty years after the establishment of this policy, society is plagued with the issues of whether affirmative action is necessary, whether it is a benefit or detriment to society, and why it incites rather then eases the nation’s internal dilemmas after so many years of having been in effect. In the following paragraphs the issues surroundingRead More Race and Affirmative Action Essay2807 Words   |  12 PagesRace and Affirmative Action Race is an issue that is embedded in the nation’s history and continues to spur discussions on how the different minorities and ethnic groups must be treated fairly. Affirmative action is a recent attempt to solve the discriminations produced by racial inequality. However, affirmative action is also being scrutinized as scholars and the public debate the benefits and harms of affirmative action. A Historical View Throughout theRead MoreRace As A Social Construction1679 Words   |  7 Pagesreally talking about? The issue of race is a complex issue, with socially ambiguous undertones that have plagued our society for decades. Race has been a marker and maker of stereotypes. Race has been used as a justification for injustice. 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What does it mean to talk about the politics of family relationships? How

Picturing The Bible By Spier J. Art Museum, Fort Worth

Picturing the Bible, by Spier J. Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, 2007. 288 pages. Reviewed by June Cuffner. Picturing the bible explores the tradition of Christian art throughout the third century A.D. Christianity slowly emerged becoming the religion of the Roman Empire. This book is based on Christianity and how the religion was viewed through images. The text has an ere of concepts that ties in the concepts of Christians to the beginning of the start of Christianity. The purpose of this book is to show the readers the difference between how Christian art was represented and how other art was portrayed. I will be giving an overview of what Christianity represents and the art work that it includes. Christian art has never been decorative nor has it been publicized instead it was only represented throughout funerals and devotionals. The bible was a way of picturing the word and how reading it opened the word for the people. Christianity relied solely on imagination and contradicted what art work is considered today which now relies heavily on visual images. In the roman empire the people saw things through mosaics, wall paintings, portraits etc. That is how they pictured their art. They were trying to set up the way art work they believed should be viewed. They had decorations on various monuments, churches, tombs etc. which represented the pagan aspect. They wanted more visual art work whereas with Christianity they visualized through their own mind and instead lived by

The Godfather Reflective Summary free essay sample

Shawn Carelli Business Ethics: Week 4 The Godfather Reflective Summary The Godfather is a great movie the many consider essential to any great business. This movie shows the realization of the American Dream. A family empire built from little to nothing. Though the business that took place in this movie was certainly illegitimate, the practices and rules they lived by are a key asset to modern day business. Break the laws they might, but family values are one of the most scared attributes to being part of these families. The Godfather truly shows it’s important to play by the rules, or you’ll be â€Å"sleeping with the fishes†. There are plenty of great lines in this movie in which hold great value in business. â€Å"Never dishonor those who help you†. Taking care of those who take care of you, great businesses today understand the importance of this. They take care of employees that contribute well to the company and partnerships that generate business. We will write a custom essay sample on The Godfather Reflective Summary or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page â€Å"Don’t discuss business at the dinner table†. This is a great line for people in business to understand. This means there is a proper time and place for business talk. And in my opinion, one of the most well-known lines, â€Å"It’s not personal, it’s business†. It’s very important in business to understand that your business life and personal life are separate, and that the main goal of a business is to make money. Competitors will get beat and will not be happy about it, but it’s not personal, it’s business. Business is not all about making people happy but is more so about making the business money. That being said, many of the other values of business both in The Godfather and in the business world are kept in check with the values that are set. Defying those values can prove to be very costly as illustrated in the movie. The Godfather shows how doing business properly is vital to the old world values that are set. To be respectful and understand your priorities, as stated, â€Å"A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man†. The movie shows that in business it is vitally important how we conduct ourselves, how we interact with others, and how we stand behind the team, or family, that we are a part of and not deceive them. â€Å"Show, don’t tell†. This has means that there is more credibility in what you do, not just what you say. You can’t say that you conduct yourself following the values that are set by your peers; your actions have to speak for themselves. Though in The Godfather, much of the business conducted had plenty of corruption, violence, and vengeance, there was still a very strong set of values on how the different families conducted themselves in their business dealings. This goes to show how ethics is something that can be interpreted differently. Something that might be considered unethical and wrong to one person might be considered perfectly fine and ethically sound to another. It’s interesting how the strong family values were of the utmost importance, even though they were involved in illegitimate business. This movie really illustrates the importance to take pride in your work and to play by the rules. Loyalty is, in my opinion, one of the biggest lessons The Godfather shows. Being loyal you your family or business is essential to them doing just that for you, but defy them and you will have a mark against you by them and others who know that you are not a loyal member. Being loyal is so important in business. It’s taught to us at a young age, â€Å"treat others the way you would want to be treated†. The movie emphasizes this greatly, as family is the most important thing, and since the family is in business together, business loyalty is even more important. To conclude, I feel The Godfather was a great movie to watch. I think there are great lessons to be learned from the famous quotes on how to conduct oneself in business. From family values, to why it’s not right to deceive people.

Gfp Lab Report Essay Example

Gfp Lab Report Paper All four of the wells were condensed with I Pl of an enhancer and added too lipid-based transaction reagent Effected to allow the target DNA to be introduced into the Hell cells. The cells containing . 45 ml Of transaction complexes and complete growth medium were incubated for two days and then replaced With I ml Of HOBS and incubated for another hour. Approximately 14. 13 Pl of glorification documentation diluted in PBS was added to one of the two wells containing GAP DNA (Figure 1 B) and a second well containing GAP-KGB DNA (Figure 1 D). Figure 1 Shows the GAB-KGB DNA lacking documentation and figure 1 A displays the Hell cells with just GAP DNA The Hell cells with GAP DNA and documentation (Figure 1 B) fluoresced throughout the entire cell including the nucleus most likely caused by the small size of the fluorescent protein used. However, when GAP-KGB DNA that lacked the documentation was analyzed, the entire cell fluoresced similarly except for the nucleus (Figure 1 C), indicating that the protein does not contain a nuclear localization signal. The nucleus is fluoresced at a high intensity when documentation was added to the GAP-KGB DNA containing cells (Figure I D) because the protein was capable of passing through to the nucleus. When the glorification hormone documentation binds to KGB, a conformational change causes neighboring proteins to dissociate and reveal the nuclear localization signal, therefore fluorescing the nucleus These results conclude that the GIBE-KGB DNA was successfully transferred into the Hell cells and through the addition of documentation, the glorification receptor protein with an activated glorification-binding domain localized to the nucleus following a conformational change. We will write a custom essay sample on Gfp Lab Report specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Gfp Lab Report specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Gfp Lab Report specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Research Paper on Same-Sex Marriage Essay Example

Research Paper on Same-Sex Marriage Essay Same-Sex Marriage Research Paper Homosexual relationships have been known for centuries, and even in the ancient world, such relationships have been commonly accepted. Still, the question whether it is natural or not, and whether the society should accept such relationships as normal, is a question with no certain answer. Another burning issue, which is especially heatedly discussed due to the recent changes in the legislation of different countries, is whether same-sex marriage should be legalized. The question of the essence of marriage is so heatedly protected by various groups due to its initial sacred meaning and the common understanding of a family as a union of two people of the opposite sex. Thus, the legitimacy and the general value of a homosexual family are controversial to the very essence of nature and religious preaches. Moreover, there is a growing concern whether homosexuality is a result of nature or nurture and thus does it threaten the human society as a limit to the normal family formation and child-bearing. We will write a custom essay sample on Research Paper on Same-Sex Marriage specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Research Paper on Same-Sex Marriage specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Research Paper on Same-Sex Marriage specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Because human nature is still generally unknown and is a secret even to the scientists, the questions emerging from such obscure areas are treated with hostility. The question is how long will it take for the humanity to solve the questions of private and public concern, and will there ever be any consent among the people around the world on such delicate matters. Same-sex marriage history The history of same marriage battles of the XXth century is a succession of the heated debates pro and con the issue, with both minor and serious victories from either side. According to Glenn Timeline, the first case of same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses and other rights was on May 18, 1970, when Jack Baker, a student at University of Minnesota, unsuccessfully applies for a marriage license with his lover Jim McConnell. They do, however, manage to file joint tax returns in 1972 and 1973.† The same source states that on October 10th, 1987 the first large public same-sex wedding took place. Approximately two thousand same-sex couples are `married’ in a mass wedding on the steps of the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, DC on October 10. The ceremony is part of the 1987 March on Washington activities dramatizing the tax benefits for married people that lesbian and gay couples are denied.† The impact of other countries on the recognition of the same-sex marriage was also quite impressive, with several countries accepting such relationships as normal. For example, Holland was the first country to expand its definition of marriage to include both opposite-sex and same-sex couples in April 2001. Belgium followed it in January 2003. Next was Ontario, a province in Canada in June 2003. By November 2004, same-sex marriage had become available in most Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Ontario, Quebec Saskatchewan) and one territory (Yukon). According to the statistics, over 82% of Canadian same-sex couples were able to marry in their province afterward. When federal law C-38 was signed into law on the 20th of July 2005, same-sex marriage theoretically became available across all of Canada. However, Prince Edward Island ignored the civil rights of same-sex couples and refused to issue marriage licenses to them for almost a month. Spain passed a law allowing same-sex couples to marry on the 29th of June 2005. Factors influencing public opinion Most people realize same-sex marriage is a reality, but it is quite difficult to recognize whether it is natural. Amy Hess, in her statement â€Å"Three Reasons To Pass A Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage,† claims that: â€Å"There are plenty of people who believe that gay and lesbian sexual relationships are just as legitimate, natural and healthy as heterosexual relationships. This belief, however, has been widely promoted by homosexual activists and does not have the scientific backing that supporters argue.† There is neither support pro nor con the fact that gays are born, and the sexual orientation is not a result of some psychological or pathological influence. The background of this distinction is too obscure, and that is what scares most people of heterosexual orientation. People are scared their children may fall victims of such psychological influence and, as a result, the whole society would suffer the non-traditional relationships that, in fact, are unable to produce descendants. Procreation is, actually, one of the most significant reasons while most people consider same-sex relationships to be unnatural. The question, too, is mixed and influenced by two ideas: first, that the homosexual relationships are non-standard and unnatural, and secondly, whether the recognition of such relationships as a marital union would not contradict the standard notion of marriage. It is commonly known that the key argument in support of same-sex marriage is that laws banning same-sex marriage are highly analogous to laws prohibiting interracial marriage; a ban on same-sex marriage can, therefore, be seen as a form of discrimination infringing upon the civil rights of same-sex couples. In response, opponents of same-sex marriage argue that men and women are fundamentally different from one another, whereas interracial couples still fit within the â€Å"one man and one woman† definition of marriage. Political Debates Politics is probably not the most persuasive and valuable example, but all the point should still be presented. The president of the US, although he is not very popular, called for a ban of the same sex marriages in 2004. He said the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and laws banning same-sex marriage in 38 states â€Å"express an overwhelming consensus in our country for protecting the institution of marriage.† The Defense of Marriage Act, signed by President Clinton, prevents federal recognition of same-sex marriage and allows states to ignore same-sex licenses from outside their borders. The debate over marriage has continued. There was another issue of the heated discussion that took place recently: the Marriage Protection Amendment of June 2006. Previously, on July 14, 2004, the Senate voted on a procedural motion to debate the Marriage Protection Amendment (S.J. Res 40) which would have led to an eventual vote on the amendment. The effort failed, however, because 60 votes were needed to bring the bill to a vote. Forty-eight Senators voted in favor and 50 opposed. On Thursday, September 30, 2004, the House of Representatives voted on the Marriage Protection Amendment, H.J. Res. 106. A two-thirds majority is required to pass an amendment. The MPA received a simple majority with a vote of 227 to 186.It did not pass in 2006 either. The society is not ready to take any serious step for or against this controversial issue. And although uncertainty is not the best option, we hardly have any by now. Most common claims and refutations Scott Bidstrup in his essay â€Å"Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the Motives† summarizes the most common claims against marriage, such as: Marriage is an institution between one man and one woman. Same-sex couples aren’t the optimum environment in which to raise children. Gay relationships are immoral. Marriages are for procreation and ensuring the continuation of the species. Same-sex marriage would threaten the institution of marriage. Marriage is traditionally a heterosexual institution. Same-sex marriage is an untried social experiment. Same-sex marriage would start us down a â€Å"slippery slope† towards legalized incest, bestial marriage, polygamy and all kinds of other horrible consequences. Granting gays the right to marry is a â€Å"special† right. Sodomy should be illegal and was until very recently. Gay marriage would mean forcing businesses to provide benefits to same-sex couples on the same basis as opposite-sex couples. Gay marriage would force churches to marry gay couples when they have a moral objection to doing so. He also claims there are real reasons people oppose gay marriage, namely: Just not comfortable with the idea. It offends everything religion stands for. Marriage is a sacred institution. Gay sex is unnatural. Making love to another man betrays everything that is masculine. The thought of gay sex is repulsive. They might recruit. Of course, all these claims are disproved and derided in the essay of this free-lance writer and political activist who has been active in human rights issues and the gay rights movement, specializing in youth and marriage rights issues, since coming out as a gay man in 1994. Recent evidence supports most and legislation, especially on the example on the Denmark, which has accepted gay marriage long ago (although this statement is refuted in Stanley Kurtz’s articles â€Å"The End of Marriage in Scandinavia† and â€Å"Dutch Debate: Marriage is in decline in the Netherlands†). But even if Mr. Bidstrup was right and there would be no evidence opposing his statements, all this disproof of common statements sounds wonderfully convincing for those who seek to hear it. For the homophobes, religious people and conservatives, though, there are still numerous points to argue over. I believe that all humans have the right to freedom of choice, and if homosexuals seek justice, why shouldn’t homophobes? Do people have to be forced to accept the amendment (if it is accepted), even if they do not wish to? Let us now not discuss the reasons why people support or oppose the idea of same-sex marriage or same-sex relationships in general. By the way, in his essay, Scott Bidstrup states that â€Å"more than half of all people in the United States oppose gay marriage, even though three-fourths are otherwise supportive of gay rights. It means that many of the same people who are even passionately in favor of gay rights oppose gays on this one issue†. Why does it happen? Because the society is too conservative on the issue of marriage, Bidstrup would hint. But is it too bad actually? It is natural for humans to try to protect what they have known to be true (marriage is a union of a man and a woman). And opposing something that causes a cognitive dissonance i s quite comprehensive, if not normal. The fact that homosexual relationships are accepted in society might be explained by the fact that as long as such relationships do not interfere with somebody’s freedoms, they are understandable and acceptable. The change of the idea of marriage and the status of the same-same relationships would, in fact, influence the whole society, and even those to disapprove of it would be forced to accept it. And this is the violation of freedom rights for those who traditionally see marriage and do not want this notion to change the meaning for any sake possible. If those who pursue same-sex relationships do have the rights to freedom, why should the rest be deprived of it? I am sure one of the most active proponents of the traditional marriage is the religion. The teachings of the three most prominent religions in America – Christianity, Judaism, and Islam – all declare gay and lesbian sexual behavior to be immoral. Christians state that same-sex marriage goes against biblical teaching, for example, Genesis 19:5 (Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed). Other passages are Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, and in the New Testament of the Bible, First Corinthians 6:8-10 and Romans 1:24-27 which, by a literal interpretation, prescribes the death penalty for homosexual contact. Pope John Paul II, referring to same-sex marriage, said: â€Å"It is legitimate and necessary to ask oneself if this is not perhaps part of a new ideology of evil, perhaps more insidious and hidden, which attempts to pit human rights against the family and man.† By the way, it is Pope John Paul II has been well known for his liberal views on many aspects of life. Still, he disproved the idea of same-sex marriage, for marriage in its traditional sense is one of the most sacred values of the church. Of course, one could claim many other religions are not as strict and do not ban the idea, but what shall we do with the three most common? Should we ignore the majority? Why should we deprive them of their rights to have an opinion? I would rather refrain from supporting either part because there would always be persuasive and valuable arguments from both sides. But I believe that everyone has a right to a freedom of choice and neither side should be deprived of it.

Jackson Andrew essays

Jackson Andrew essays I intend to prove that Andrew Jackson truly was a president for the common man. Andrew wasnt the kind of man who only worried about higher class individuals. He cared about the common man, which was what the majority of the united states were. Andrew Jackson started his historic life, on March 15, 1767 in South Carolina. He was brought up by the parents Andrew and Elizabeth Jackson. Andrew attended some school, but never all the way through high school. When Andrew was only 13 he was ready to join the South Carolina Militia, and die for our country if needed. I feel that he was very brave for doing this at such a young age. He started out only delivering messages back and forth, but only weeks later he found himself fighting neighbor to neighbor with the British. Jackson and his brother were betrayed by a neighbor and taken prisoner. The boys were taken to the officer in command and were ordered to clean his boots. Andrew was young and frightened but still refused. He said that he deserved the expected treatment to a prisoner of war, and he also deserved his freedom of speech. The officer responded by giving him a blow to the head with a saber. The blow could have killed him, if he hadnt put his hand up to stop the impact. Andrews hand was cut to the bone and a deep gash made on his forehead. He had to live with that scar for the rest of his life. Andrew learned a lot while he was serving his country. He saw a lot of misunderstanding and injustice in the army. Maybe thats why he chose to study law, to struggle for the truth, and to open the truth to people. He believed in the common good. Anyone interested in joining law simply had to read law, with an attorney until he was able to pass his bar examination. Andrew stayed with different layers for about a year. He then took his bar exam to become a layer himself. In his time between studying law Andrew met a ...

Characteristics of Democracies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Characteristics of Democracies - Essay Example Racism is still prevalent in America, minority rights should be worked upon by the government and people who are in minorities should be given respect and treated equally. Medicaid policies are really important, theses are as important as the minority rights. The American government is spending excessively on the Medicaid policies. The Illegal immigrants also get the benefits of these Medicaid policies, the American government must ensure that no illegal immigration takes place. People from Mexico sneak in through the border and these illegal immigrants cause a lot of problems for the American government, they gets jobs whereas the Americans remain jobless and the unemployment rate goes further up. â€Å"Illegal Immigration must be stopped and reversed† (Illegal Immigration) To conclude it is very fair to say that these two important policies must be worked upon by the American