...Affirmative Action Joshua Guest POS/110 August 22, 2010 Lisa Beiduk Affirmative Action Affirmative action was introduced in 1961 by President Kennedy as a form of redressing discrimination that was still present despite the civil rights laws and constitutional guarantees (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 2007). Affirmative action aims at providing minorities and women equal rights to employment and education. Affirmative action was debatable since it began in the 1960’s and is still a very debatable topic today. Affirmative action requires increased attention and knowledge to understand both the pros and the cons of affirmative action and allow people to make educated decisions on affirmative action being beneficial or detrimental. Affirmative action is a set of public policies aimed at protecting the civil rights of underprivileged individuals of minority races or who are women. Affirmative action policies require that all state and local governments and all businesses associated with government funding must adopt the principles of affirmative action (Edwards III, Wattenberg, Lineberry, 2008). The principle action of affirmative action is the better treatment of members of minority groups and women. Many argued that affirmative action policies were violating the principle of the law which states all individuals are equal. The policies related to affirmative action needed some mending. While affirmative action was a stepping...
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...Facts About Affirmative Action”). Without affirmative action these rates of graduation would not be possible for the minorities of America. During the 1960s the affirmative action law passed and required employers, as well as colleges, to not discriminate against any employee or applying employee based on race, ethnicity, creed, or national origin. Affirmative action is still necessary in America today because minorities continue to receive inadequate education compared to their white counterparts, minorities continue to live at or below the poverty line; And many minority youths would not be afforded the opportunity to attend and graduate college without affirmative action....
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...Many have argued over the years that affirmative action in schools or the workforce is necessary for the fusion and equality of our culture. In the book, Taking Sides, two different authors discuss each view of either side of the issue. Affirmative Action began as a government policy to aid in ending racial discrimination and promote equal opportunities to minorities. Both Robert Staples and Roger Clegg have a solid view of where they stand on the issue of affirmative action. Staples agrees that affirmative action is necessary to achieve racial equality. He does not believe that the United States has reached the point of being a color-blind society. Staples sees racism still being present in our modern society. Staples argues that the argument against affirmative action is only a plot to keep the white men at their privileged status at the expense of the minorities. Staples points out affirmative action is not a program used exclusively by blacks. White women are often the primary beneficiaries. Also, he recognizes that minorities, specifically blacks, are still being treated unfairly and unequally. Staples argues that there is no clear definition for Affirmative Action. It tends to be interpreted differently by many people. It has been estimated that five million people of color have gotten their jobs due to affirmative action. His stance on the issue of affirmative action is that it is the fairest way to include everyone to an equal opportunity, whether it is in the schools...
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...Alexander Herrera Diversity in the Workplace M3A1 Supporting Affirmative Action Empire State College Affirmative Action: often upon hearing this word, one will start thinking about quotas and reverse discrimination. However, contrary to this misconception, affirmative action is actually a policy that dictates that employers attempt to find diverse employees by exploring untraditional sources of labor. The goal of affirmative action is to create a work force that mirrors the population of the nation both in gender and in ethnicity (Rich, 2014). The two questions that we will be focusing on are: Is affirmative action necessary to give all Americans an equal opportunity to success? Does affirmative action counteract the discrimination that still exists in modern society? Affirmative action is not only morally justifiable, but it is also socially and economically preferable in order to improve our society. The United States’ government first implemented affirmative action to overcome some of the clear differences in living conditions between people of different genders and races. Unfortunately, these differences still exist and eliminating affirmative action now would be untimely for our nation. The need for affirmative action was a concept noticed in 1865 during the passages of the Civil War amendments. During those years our country was still practicing in slavery and wrongful treatment of the black race. While blacks were being forced to comply...
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...Is Affirmative Action still necessary? Introduction This topic will explore if Affirmative action is still necessary in the 21st century. Affirmative Action is the encouragement of increased representation of women and minority group members, in employment. It has been commonly referred to as a positive discrimination policy or program designed to counter discrimination against minority groups and women in areas such as employment and education (dictionary.com). “Pro” position There are several reasons to justify Affirmative Action. It was developed to assist society’s less-advantaged members by promoting affirmative action policies is to remedy the effects of past discrimination. Along with the use of the Affirmative Action policy there is the recognition that wrongs have been committed in the past and acknowledgment that there is a moral obligation to set things right (pros and cons). African Americans are not the only, or even the main beneficiaries of affirmative action. There are a wide range of groups that have benefited from Affirmative Action. Some of the groups include women, Native Americans, Arab Americans, Latino/as, Asian Americans, and African Americans. According to the United States Department of Labor, it found that white women are the primary beneficiaries of affirmative action (aapf.org). “Con” position The opposing view point states that it is reverse discrimination. Those opposed of affirmative action do not contest the moral obligation to...
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...Affirmative Action Initiatives were created in order to correct the wrongs of discrimination and to make equal opportunity a reality. Affirmative Action Initiatives were created by law to ensure equal rights for minorities and women as it pertains to college admissions and promotions within the workforce. The affirmative action initiatives have been scrutinized since its inception. The creation of the initiatives was the first step in a long battle to end discrimination. The original intent was to be aggressive with non-discrimination and to racially integrate the workforces. Affirmative action, originally (Consortium Journal Hospitality & Tourism, 2010) implemented as a means of righting past wrongs and leveling the playing field for minorities and women, has in some circles become a bad word synonymous with quotas, privilege, and reverse discrimination. Although the Initiatives were coined and created in 1961, it wasn’t until the Civil Rights Act in 1964, that racial discrimination was actually prohibited in the workforce. Those for the affirmative action initiatives view them as a positive. Opponents of the Initiatives believe the harm of racial discrimination has dissipated therefore affirmative action is not necessary. Those against believe that race based policies make minority achievement a white allowance and the failure of minorities a group stigma. Those against also believe the Initiatives were created as a means of compensating for all racially based...
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...Affirmative Action MGMT345 AIU Abstract This paper will discuss Affirmative Action and the initial intent of its legislation. It will discuss the conclusion of Bakke v. Regents and its basis. It will also discuss the positive and negative results of the AA legislation. Affirmative Action Introduction US history has shown us that not everyone has always been considered equal. Americans were allowed to own slaves and work them however they saw fit. After slavery was abolished, African-Americans were still not treated fairly. There was a “separate but equal” state of mind among Americans which kept whites and black separate in the workplace and schools. Once schools and workplaces were segregated the African-Americans were still treated unfairly. Today we see a lot less unfair treatment towards African-American’s because of the Affirmative Action policies and cases like Bakke v. Regents. What is Affirmative Action? What is Affirmative Action? Women and minorities are allowed entry into professions that were formally off limits to them because of affirmative action programs. Initiated in the 1960s this federal agenda was designed to counteract the discrimination towards women and ethnic minorities (Nittle, 2012). This program is meant to promote equal opportunity in employment, education, government sectors, and more. It is not meant to create reverse discrimination but in its modern form affirmative action can cause reverse discrimination by admissions officers...
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...Counter arguments, Disproving other side, Con affirmative action Affirmative Action has been a long debated issue in United States. One group believes affirmative action should be abolished and other group thinks it serves an essential purpose. Our group believes Affirmative Action is fair and we still need it to eliminate discrimination and establish inequality to make our country is a better place. The continued use of affirmative action is still needed to address our existing discrimination and to break down all the barriers to make sure each individual have an equal opportunity so that they can prove themselves in the society as per their talents and abilities. Compare to other countries United States have made significant progress in recent years in creating equal access to opportunity, but we still need to accomplish more. Affirmative action worked as a proven solution that had been addressing existing discrimination and promoting equal opportunity. Ending affirmative action would end the dreams of opportunity for many. “The fundamental purpose of affirmative action is to further equal opportunity and counter or prevent current discrimination. Importantly, affirmative action programs have a positive impact not only on women and people of color, but all members of our society”. This program ensures equality and provides opportunity to many women, people of color, disabled, and veterans. It is a path where they can compete and be evaluated fairly for jobs and education...
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...hire him because he is black). The term discrimination commonly replaces the term unjustified discrimination in business, philosophy, psychology and day-to-day community life. In a just and fair society, such as we Canadians aspire to, a job applicant’s race, ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, orientation, mental ability, or physical condition should not disadvantage them in career choices or job competitions. If a short Asian female firefighter can do the job, she should get the job. Conversely she should not expect to receive concessions that are not available to all; that is in effect also discrimination. Unfortunately, discrimination often arises in business in regards to hiring, job placement, wage, and promotion. Affirmative Action Ideally, discrimination should be of no concern at all; everyone should have an equal opportunity to anything. In a perfect world a hiring manager would not have to think thoughts such as, “They are disabled, they are women, they are aboriginal,” and would only think, “This person will be perfect for the job because….” Unfortunately this may never completely happen. For example if a person in a wheelchair applies to be a stock person at Costco and another person who is not in a wheelchair applies for the same position the manager will be debating, “Should I hire the person who cannot walk because I want to be socially responsible? Or should I hire the person who can walk, who will probably do a better job and who I won’t have to...
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...debate over affirmative action. The debate in itself demonstrates the necessity of affirmative action as the discussion points toward not supporting minorities even though a divide exists in equality. However, in order to prove this theme one must contemplate the reason for affirmative action, the Utilitarian and Kantian stance, and prove that inequality still occurs. Following this further, what then is the purpose behind affirmative action? Ultimately, institutional racism is the main reason for affirmative action which points toward social structures that have become oppressive to certain ethnicities (MacKinnon 2015). Due to a lack of the principles of equality within American colleges and the workforce the affirmative action law was introduced (Boylan 2002). The principle of equality states that identical things must be treated as such (MacKinnon 2015). Hence, activities that do not treat all humans as equal are unjust....
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...Introduction Affirmative action is the act of promoting equal opportunities for al ("Diversity & Inclusion", n.d.). This paper will examine the components of Affirmative action as it relates to the public and private sector employers, and the many ways that it interacts with Title VII requirements of Equal Employment Opportunity. This paper will address the following questions: (1) what employers are subject to affirmative action plans and why? (2) What do the plans require employers to do? (3) What happens if employers do not meet the goals of the affirmative action plan? In 1941, the federal government tried to remove any and all forms of discrimination in the hiring process within the defense industry and ultimately within the whole federal employment. After President John F. Kennedy signed the 1961 Executive Order number 10925, it required federal contractors to take affirmative action to certify that applicants are employed and that employees are taken care of, without regard to one’s race, faith, color, or national origins. While Lyndon B. Johnson’s was the president back in 1967, 1965 Executive Order 11246 was lengthened to include women. Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act does not permit discrimination in any way based on color, faith, race, sex, or gender in employment, relocation, or advancement decisions but did not comprise employers compliance with affirmative action plans. Law court may order an employer...
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...My Case Against Affirmative Action In 1965 President Johnson, using executive action, introduced affirmative action as a way to redress past discrimination and racial bias. Although his action applied to government contractors, with the passage of Title VII colleges began implementing their own affirmative action programs and started admitting more minority students. In my opinion, affirmative action is not only discriminatory in its own right, but should be abolished by the courts that have seen so far to uphold it. Affirmative action, though started with good intentions, has now dissolved into a policy that gives minorities’ unfair advantage and encourages “reverse racism” instead of discouraging it. It admits lesser qualified minority students into post-secondary institutions while passing over more qualified students. As David Sacks and Peter Thiel say in their paper The Case Against Affirmative Action, “If, after 25 years, affirmative action has not succeeded in ending discrimination, perhaps it is time to try something else.” Affirmative action, in addition to hurting the minorities it supposedly is meant to help by placing unprepared students into colleges they are not ready for, all serves to promote racism. Anytime someone is placed above someone else based on race, that’s racism, be it a white student accepted ahead of a black student or vice versa. Today, especially in light of what we see in Missouri, Staten Island, and other cities, racism is seen as white...
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...Affirmative Action Term Paper Abstract Human Resource Management is one the most important aspects of a company. Its successful implementation is crucial for an organization being able to thrive. Human Resource Professionals handle areas such as employment, recruitment and selection, performance and evaluation, compensation and benefits, personal professional development, safety and health forecasting and labor relations. This paper will focus on the topic of Affirmative Action and its policies which is an important aspect of Human Resource Management. Without its inclusion, companies would not be able to be successful the way they are today. Discriminatory beliefs were overturned by policies of Affirmative Action. Diversity such as race, color, religion, gender and national origin are now contributing to an organizations success rate in the race for market dominance. This paper is structured into an historical overview of Affirmative Action, its advantages and disadvantages and the future of Human Resources in regards to Affirmative Action. Introduction People have always been an important part of an organization. However it is important not just to value such an important asset but also develop and improve it. This is the job of the Human Resource Department. It manages an organization's workforce. The responsibility of the Human Resource Department is the attraction, selection, training, assessment, and rewarding of employees, as well as overseeing organizational...
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...ADA and Affirmative Action America is suppose to be the land of the free but for years many of our citizens have been discriminated against on the basis of race, gender, or disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1900 and Affirmative Action Acts are two ways our country has taken a stand against discrimination against minorities and those with disabilities. While both of these Acts were created to help ensure that each citizen receives equal and fair treatment they both have their share of controversy surrounding them. This writing will examine both ADA and Affirmative Action for both the positives and negatives that are attached to each Act. After years of disabilities rights groups lobbying congress, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law on Jun 1990 by President George Bush. The ADA was designed to eliminate discrimination against those with mental or physical disabilities in regards to employment, telecommunications, transportation, and public services and accommodations. This law is to help ensure that all American people, regardless of physical or mental disability, has a fair shot at employment and other public services. The ADA requires that any business that employs 15 or more employees must make efforts to provide reasonable accommodations such as safe and accessible work environments, readers for those employees who can not see, allowing for adjustments in the employees schedule to accommodate appointments related to their disability...
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...Affirmative Action, A Social Issue The black rights and women’s rights movements of the 1960’s fought against injustice and discrimination that had been suffered by minorities for years (Hudson). In response, President Kennedy issued Executive Order 10925 in 1961, creating a Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity and mandating that projects financed by federal funding would “take affirmative action” to ensure that hiring and employment practices were free of racial bias (Hudson). Two more executive orders in 1965 and 1968 prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, and gender, giving the federal government the power to enforce this prohibition (Hudson). However, in current times, affirmative action programs have suffered setbacks. Affirmative action in education has been abolished in Texas by court order, and in California and Washington it has been terminated by public referendum (Bybee). Currently, the main question concerning affirmative action is whether or not it is the best way to combat inequality. Also: What groups should or should not have affirmative action? When will the problem be “solved” and affirmative action no longer necessary? While the United States is divided between 49% of citizens supporting affirmative action programs and 43% opposing them, many Americans have a difficult time even defining what affirmative action is (Gallup 2003). The term ‘affirmative action’ includes laws, policies, and programs designed to reduce...
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