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. In regards to this different arguments say that the ruling affects minority and non-minority students because, it discriminates against non-minoritiesRead More The Affirmative Action Debate Essay1773 Words   |  8 PagesThe Affirmative Action Debate    Most Americans desire a colorblind society. A society where individuals are judged upon merit, as opposed to the color of their skin. That is the reason Affirmative Action was birthed by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. 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. Whether slavery, Japanese internment, or social and economic exclusion, race has given an avenue for those in power to exclude ones deemed ‘other’. In the following paragraphs I will examine the premise of race and try to demonstrate why it is a social constructRead MoreMaking Differences Matter - Review1480 Words   |  6 Pageseffectiveness, claiming that diversity will be good for business, but many attempts to increase diversity in the workplace have backfired resulting in heightening tension among employees and hindering a company’s performance. This article discusses why diversity efforts are not fulfilling their promise and presen ts a new paradigm for understanding and leveraging diversity. Apart from increased profitability it goes beyond financial measures to encompass learning, creativity, flexibility, organizationalRead MoreHow Micro And Macro- Racial Formations Are The Reason2276 Words   |  10 PagesIn this paper, I will use concepts and information from class readings to address findings, reflected in the following questions: 1) why do whites and blacks (and people from other racial groups as well) have differing perceptions of racial issues.2) why do such significant economic disparities still exist 50 years after the civil rights movement. I suggest racial disparities and perception cannot be legislated away. I hope to illustrate in this paper how Micro and macro- racial formations are theRead MorePolice Brutality : Not All Cops Are Bad1914 Words   |  8 PagesIf we look at the facts the statistics show unequivocally that African American men are disproportionately targeted and victimized by the police for more than their non African American peers, so when people try dismiss the fact that this is a race issue it s not only disrespectful but it’s ridiculous when the race relations as it relates to African American men and police is well documented. It s the lack of acknowledgment that I feel is more frustrating for people of color who are persecuted andRead MoreCaste Based Poitics in India4785 Words   |  20 Pagesis necessary to appeal to particular castes, tribes and religious communities. The caste rhetoric emerged especially in the context of mobilization of the lower castes especially by the India Natio nal Congress, which introduced the system of affirmative action – reservations – for scheduled castes and tribes. The caste thus became especially salient in mobilizing and organizing lower castes – with a long history of social, political and economical discrimination – in their struggle for equality, sameRead MoreStructural Functionalism Approach to Political Science3672 Words   |  15 PagesREADINGS ASSIGNMENTS Part I: Thinking About Politics Week 1: September 2-4: Introduction: What is Politics? 1. W. Phillips Shively, Power and Choice: An Introduction to Political Science. Chapter 1 and Appendix. What is politics? What is political action? Compare the different conceptions of politics found in Shively and presented in class. Is politics associated exclusively with the state or is it found in all social units? What does it mean to talk about the politics of family relationships? How