...Affirmative Action: Is it still needed in Today’s World? Table of Contents Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………………….3 What is Affirmative Action ………………………………………………………………….. 3-4 History of Affirmative Action ………………………………………………………………...4-6 Legal History of Affirmative Action ………………………………………………………….6-8 The People for Affirmative Action ……………………………………………………………8-9 The People against Affirmative Action ……………………………………………………...10 The Benefits of Affirmative Action ………………………………………………………….10-12 The Cons of Affirmative Action ……………………………………………………………..12-14 Conclusion (My Opinion) ……………………………………………………………………14-15 References ……………………………………………………………………………………16 Abstract Affirmative action has been the topic of some debate because people wonder if it has outlived its usefulness. It is a very controversial topic. This paper will address this issue, is affirmative action still needed in today’s world? This paper will tell what affirmative action is, the history, the legal history of it, the people for it, the people against it, the benefits of affirmative action, the cons of affirmative action, and finally how I feel about affirmative action What is Affirmative Action? Affirmative action is only applied to those who have 15 or more employees, or a government contract of fifty or more employees or a contract over $50,000. The following summary describes affirmative action: Born of the civil rights movement three decades...
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...How Affirmative Action Ban Affect College Admission? Abstract: In this research paper I examined the effects of affirmative action ban on the university enrollment stage. The importance of this topic is that it is very contentious social issue today. In this paper I mentioned some of the experiences of African American activist Ward Connerly, examples of his movement and his opponent approach towards affirmative action. The research finds that affirmative action bans decrease the enrollment in selective universities. However, affirmative action debate will continue in the United States. From research discussions I find that affirmative action carries out emotional reaction, because the concern is the inequality in education. However throughout the research I found some confusions and mixed proofs for that concern. Affirmative action in college admission is one of today’s most argumentative social policy issues. The supporters of affirmative action view it as a just response to past or present discrimination, stress the social benefits of producing minority role models and leaders, and claim that there are educational benefits to diversity. At the same time its opponents contend that it is an impediment to achieving a race-blind society and may even be harmful to those it is intended to directly benefit. The issue has been in headlines as affirmative action in college admissions has been limited in recent years by court decisions...
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...Affirmative Action Affirmative action is a government policy that gives opportunities to minorities, women, and any group who has been the victim of discrimination in the past. Affirmative action is the outcome of the 1960’s Civil Rights movement, growing out of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which outlawed discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or gender. It was the 1978 Supreme Court decision, The Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, which allowed for the use of race-based preferences as a means of fostering diversity, allowing affirmative action to be used in admissions policies. It was created with the intention to provide equal opportunities for members of minority groups in education and employment. Initially affirmative action focused on improving opportunities for African Americans. Colleges and universities used Affirmative action in their admission process, with the hopes of increasing their enrollment of African Americans and later Hispanic students, two minorities that were falling behind in college acceptance rates. According to data from the National Center on Education Statistics (NCES), in 2007, 70 percent of white high school graduates immediately enrolled in college, compared to 56 percent of African American graduates and 61 percent of Hispanic graduates. As more and more educational institutions began using affirmative action policies in their admissions process, it became a target of great debate. With Americans taking sides as affirmative...
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...Introduction I am to type my paper debate about has Affirmative Action has gone too far? Affirmative action is an important issue to United of States and global. Also, affirmative action has been the subject of increasing debate and tension in our society. Before I begin, Affirmative Action is a policy or a program that seeks to redress past discrimination through active measures to ensure equal opportunity, as in education and employment. (Action, 2012) Affirmative action has divided political parties, communities and campuses across the nation and measuring the impact of affirmative action is difficult and controversial. In general affirmative action policies has been implemented by governments, business, or educational institutions to decrease the level of discrimination against. Affirmative Action begin in early of 1960’s where many blacks and other racial minorities was illegal to get many jobs and to enter colleges. Also women were forbidden to receive jobs or study in the universities. By 1964, the civil rights act was the first modern legal act to prevent these barriers and the events has been occurring through time to todays. (Karger H, 2007) Affirmative Action Since 1960s affirmative action has been so controversial issue between supporters and critics. The debate are that affirmative action policies are the only way to have an integrated society with equal opportunity while opponents feel that affirmative action policy give preference to people of the specific group...
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...Affirmative Action Debra Henderson HRM/240 September 15, 2011 Scott Thompson Equal opportunity is based on giving each and every person in America a fair chance of pursuing their education and employment regardless of race, culture, creed, religion, and gender. The affirmative action act was created for individuals who were being discriminated against. This was to ensure minorities would be given the opportunity to apply and be hired for any job. Employers need to include more employees with diverse backgrounds because they can bring different views and ideas to the environment that could be beneficial for a company and help them to become more successful. Affirmative action was put into effect so all minorities are able to become employed and is still in effect so there are no problems. This gives the minorities a chance to succeed and the ability to work with people of all races and removes racism in the work and educational environment. Affirmative action should not be based on personal opinions or what someone thinks is right. Employers are always in need of educated and qualified individuals for employment, and can obtain qualified candidates who are interested by understanding the need that there is no reason to discriminate against anyone. Everyone is capable to do a job if they are qualified. There are many debates that go on these days about affirmative action. Some people say and believe that affirmative action should be banned because white people...
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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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...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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...Eddiana Hernandez MGMT 463-61 Prof. Palmiere Final Paper Affirmative Action: Exploring a Common Ground The term affirmative action was introduced by President Kennedy during the Cold War and around the Civil Rights Movement it was then expanded by President Johnson. Affirmative action programs were created in an attempt to make sure that all groups within a society are given the same opportunity to succeed in the workplace and higher education. It has always been a controversial topic because of the guidelines surrounding it and the alleged double standard it creates since it protects some groups and leaves others out of the “iron umbrella”. Usually Caucasian males are against the action and most of the time demand reform or abolition of such programs. And that is because Caucasian and Asian males are not protected under the act. Affirmative action is one of those programs I believe have a double standard and therefore I have decided to look at it from both perspectives giving it a glance from a compromising way from both opponents and advocates of the act. Over the years it has given people opportunities that otherwise would have not been possible for the person who is part of a minority group but it had also affected the other areas in our society. The issue I have with the act is that is been used as the solely deciding factor to give someone a chance. For example, an African America high school graduate should not be getting into college just for simple fact of being...
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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 is an effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). It was the way of bringing to an end the discrimination that occurred by individuals of a certain group and allows them to purse educational and employment opportunities. There is a question of rather affirmative action is still necessary or rather it has run its course. The answer to that question can be found by taking a look into the history of affirmative action while showing the pro and cons of it. Affirmative action is still necessary in American in order to ensure fair representation and opportunities to American’s diverse minority individuals within universities and workplace. The original intention of affirmative action was to form equivalent chances for individuals who had been treated with discrimination in an earlier period. “Elements of an affirmative action plan include a written policy self evaluation to identify efficiencies, steps to correct them on a time table and accountability by senior management.” (Britannica) Affirmative action is frequently established in administration, instructive, and employment situation with the intention of making certain that minorities are incorporated in each opportunity available. The core reason behind affirmative action is to give assistance in reimbursing for the earlier periods of discrimination and concentrate on current discrimination. In earlier periods...
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...Abstract Using research references written by Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander, Laura P. Hartman, Raina Kelley, Brian Lilley and Jonathan Stempel, I examined the results of their findings in relation to my project. Based on their information, I determined affirmative action is still an instrumental tool in balancing the work force in the United States. There are still jobs that are out of reach for certain minority groups. As long as this imbalance exists so does the need for affirmative action. Do We Need Affirmative Action? Is affirmative action still needed in today’s society? Some people do not think so; others do. I believe affirmative action is still necessary as long as a minority group of people (Blacks, Hispanics, Women, etc.) attempting to acquire jobs in certain markets believes they are not getting those jobs because they are being discriminated against by the majority group that holds them. I will attempt to present some sources to reinforce my conclusion. I will discuss the original purpose of affirmative action and present some cases being discussed or ruled on in present day courts. I hope to show that affirmative action expands opportunity by promoting inclusion of underrepresented minorities in all areas of the job market and it is not intended to take jobs away from those in the majority. Its Purpose I’ve been in the military since 1987. The military has a zero tolerance rule for any type of discrimination and it’s strictly enforced from the top...
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...Affirmative action with regards to marriage. Name: Institution: Date: A lot of people today have used affirmative action as a way of obtaining special privileges by calling them “rights” – particularly, “equal rights”. Affirmative quotas have notably been seen in local political campaigns through demands that the scope of marriage should be adjusted to suit different conditions in marriage including same sex marriage, interracial marriages and single parenting. When goals in affirmative action are not met, the burden of showing evidence that there was no discrimination against women and minorities lies with the employers in a job recruiting exercise for example. The people who advocate for these “rights” don’t have the burden of proof to elaborately show there was no discrimination in the exercise whatsoever. In many countries, minorities have always outperformed the majority even when there was no way of discriminating against them. Marriage has ever been recognized as the binding of a man and woman since. A vast range of laws have, however, come up in regard to marriage. All arising from disparities resultant from the union of man and woman. These disparities, however, arise naturally and affirmative policies should be developed for people who engage in behaviors that occur naturally and are inevitable. Research reveals that it is normal for differences between people of the same sex to occur, thus, everyone need laws that protect them whatsoever the case. Families led...
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...Affirmative Action College Admissions 2 Abstract Affirmative action has been a strong subject of discussion and debate for more than 30 years. Its use in college admissions has even been heard and ruled by the U.S. Supreme Court. Affirmative action is in essence, a policy or procedure developed by numerous institutions of higher learning to attempt to diversify their student bodies racially and by ethnicity. Looking closer at this procedure will display the advantages and disadvantages of affirmative action and college admissions. Affirmative Action College Admissions 3 Affirmative action is the practice, usually by institutions, of giving preference to racial minorities or women when hiring employees, giving awards, or deciding whom to admit (So you Wanna, 2003). Affirmative action arose out of a desire to bring minority groups into institutions and professions that had traditionally been dominated by white males. It first appeared after the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s as an attempt to accompany the new legal equality gained for minorities with social and economic equality. This paper I will discuss the history, advantages and disadvantages of affirmative action in college admissions. After explaining these issues I will state and my belief on the issue of affirmative action in college admissions. In 1961, President Kennedy signed Executive Order No. 10925, putting the term “affirmative action” its first use in relation to civil rights...
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...Mark Martin 103 ENGL 1001 Dr. Chege 28 October 2014 “Is Affirmative Action Still Relevant In 21st Century America?” My topic is Affirmative Action, which is discrimination, and whether or not it is still happening in 21st century America. I am interested in it because I am interested in history and Affirmative Action is a big part of this country. Any other people who are either curious about Affirmative Action or anybody that likes history in general I think would be interested in this topic. I’m so invested in this topic that I want to research it is because like I said earlier, I like history and Affirmative Action is a big part of this country whether you agree with it or disagree with it. Now, my research question is, is affirmative action still relevant in 21st century America? My chosen topic relates to the course theme of Justice because Affirmative Action is not fair or equal. It’s being in favor of one person over another because of gender or skin color and that’s Justice because it’s not right to do that at all no matter what. I am connecting the idea of Justice to my topic because I’m going to talk about how it was in the past, how and it’s happening right now, and how we can end it for the future. I’m going to talk about how it shouldn’t happen in the first place and how people are trying to stop it to bring equality to everybody and bring Justice to the matter. My question is significant because this is something that is huge in the history of the United...
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...------------------------------------------------- Research: Affirmative Action. Do you feel that affirmative action has a place in today's society? Do you support or oppose its role in today's politics and our lives? Why? Affirmative action is a term most Americans are familiar with, but a term that is not always well understood. To clarify, as defined in Politics in America by Thomas Dye, affirmative action is any government or private program designed to help offset the effects of “past unequal treatment of minorities and/or women by giving members of these groups preferential treatment in admissions, hiring, promotions, or other aspects of life” (Dye, 2009, p. 551). Over time, affirmative action has resulted in an array of policies or programs specifically designed with the intention to enhance employment and business opportunities, or educational programs for groups, such as ethnic or racial minorities, as well as women, who all, as a group, have suffered discrimination. However, the approach in which these policies or programs are employed, the forms of action they entail, and the far-reaching repercussions they convey for our society may deviate from one specific program to another. Since its founding, the belief in human equality has guided the American republic. Of the truths held to be self-evident in the Declaration of Independence, the very first and foremost is that “all men are created equal.” This certainty is deep-seated as we recognize intuitively the equality...
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