In the 1960s during the hey day of the civil rights movement, the concept or policy known as affirmative action was enacted. The idea behind affirmative action is to not only end discrimination against certain groups in American society but to attempt to make up for the consequences of that past discrimination. It carries government action beyond the notion of equality of opportunity to one of equality of result. Supporters argue that it is reasonable to pursue these policies in light of centuries of discrimination, that simply outlawing discrimination won't make up for the position that many of the affected groups find themselves. Equality of opportunity doesn't exist for those groups since they find themselves at such a disadvantage. Opponents see this as nothing but discrimination in reverse, that currrent generations are punished for the sins of their ancestors.
The Supreme Court has, in a series of rulings, confronted the issue. In the Bakke case the Court ruled that the use of quotas in college admissions was unconstitutional. In two cases that dealt with admissions policies at the University of Michigan the Court reaffirmed its opposition to quotas but ruled that the use of race as a factor in admissions was not a violation of the Constitution.
Today, the idea has taken on a broader context. In addition, to race other factors may include gender, socio-economic status and geographic location.
Is it proper for colleges to use these factors when selecting its student body? Does the university benefit from creating a more diverse student population?
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Well, it depends.
ReplyDeleteNumber one, you must consider the current social patterns - in the case of colleges, they should ask, "does the majority of students coming into college want to see diversity?"
For my viewpoint, I surely want to see some diversity when I get out of Franklin County High - wherever I go to college. And in my opinion most students are favorable of diverse campus community.
Number two gets more into the issue of affirmative action. Assuming that the college wants to see a diverse community, such as from different geographical area, wide range of socio-economic status, and gender, then it is I believe fair to loosely group students.
However, I do believe that affirmative action must be used in moderation - you can't just look at those factors to strictly decide who gets in and who doesn't.
And it is in a way makes sense that just because a piece of paper says "no discrimination allowed", doesn't mean that businesses and colleges will follow the rule strictly. Therefore, I believe affirmative action is justified to a certain degree.
Se
p.s.
If what I wrote doesn't make sense, sorry...running on 20 minutes of sleep from last night.
VikTorious says:
ReplyDeleteMan I could never be a politician. Their everyday lives consist of nothing but long drawn out, dragging issues that just maintain themselves. Ugh!
Firstly, I do not believe that my generation should have to make up for our brainless racist ancestors. Let's speak Golden Rule status here! I expect the same treatment from minorities as I give them. The slavery days are discussed in history class for a reason people! It's history. Done. Over. We learn from history, we do not spend the rest of eternity dwelling on it! If affirmative action was put into practice simply as a an attempt to say "were really really very sorry" then I do not agree with it.
Secondly, this whole "zero-sum game" situation is entirely too stereotypical...almost comical! The complaint is that taking race, gender, and geographic location into consideration shuts the door for white people...so, um what does this tell you?
Minorities are still being treated as a minority because most of them do not have the money or opportunity that white citizens have. They are living in places that are poverty stricken, therefore their educational programs are being given more a of yellow light rather than a green one.
What this means people, instead of arguing about how to make up for the past, we must look forward into the future. Maybe that is the problem with America. There is too much of an emphasis on what is behind us and we are stuck because we cannot see what is in front of our faces. Do away with this entire ordeal and simply put more attention into the quality of our learning facilities. Quality over quanity is always a good way to go!! Keep school choices just make each one better than before. Start holding parents more accountable for their children and make them emphasize eduaction from early on in childhood. This way if schools are made and operated more effectively (rather than efficiently) students will be better prepared for entry exams and such.
Come on now! The future is not toxic. Let us be productive and work together. Don't make the American people attach a leash to your neck and drag you into it like a dog!! Because we will do it!!
I think that during the age of the civil rights movement, there was a distinct lack of equality of opportunity for minorities, in college admissions and otherwise. The federal outlaw of discrimination was not enough - some of the court decisions regarding busing as a means to integrate public schools continued throughout the 1970s and 80s, amid public outcry. In any sort of admission or hiring process, there is an element of personal opinion on the part of the interviewer or employer, and at this time in history, the zeitgeist was still predominantly racist.
ReplyDeleteHowever, times have changed. While there are still individuals (cough cough our very own William White)who pursue racist agendas, integration and equality have been a part of the US's public psyche for a solid twenty years. Affirmative action has outlived its usefulness. Admissions to colleges and employment opportunities should go to those who are best suited for the school or the job. Socio-economic data, gender, and geographic location should all be considered, but no entity should be federally mandated to select students or employees based on these criteria. And, in the time since the civil rights era, thousands of charities, scholarships, and aid groups have grown to level the playing field for those that are disadvantaged.
Until we reach another crisis of discrimination, I don't see any benefit in affirmative action. It was used as a tool to enforce integration, and has long since served its purpose.
It doesn't matter who you are or what you do. The best player shall play, and the best worker shall work. Quotas are not a good way to help minorties. It is still discrimination to have certains quotas that "have to be met." Those who are best for the jobs have the right to work. The companies, schools, and all other limited public organizations will not be at their best for taking someone of lesser ability. There are other, better, ways to spread diversity. The best thing to do is train people in advance, so that they truly will be the best of the best. Really, there's no way to know at an interview if race is a factor, but as for the white guy who was declined to medical school, that is unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, the best person qualified should be the one who gets the spot at the college. How can you pick a person solely on race. Those who want to do well in life will strive to achieve it. There are many schools a person can get into to recieve a further education. If a majority person in a school has a 3.6 gpa and a minority has 3.1 gpa, it shouldnt come down to a race factor. We could not choose our own heritage and we should not be punished for our push for excellence.
ReplyDeleteObviously there are many factors that goes on for a university to accept a student to their school. Social factors should come into some factor. IF you have a 3.1 in a part of a city where it is truly rough and that 3.1 you recieved was one of the top in the class, colleges should look into that.
Overall though, race alone can not be a factor over another student. If you just choose a minority for the sole fact that their a minority than it shouldnt work that way. Universities should have an open mind to those who want to strive to achieve but you cant rob those who have worked hard to get to a certain school because the person is a majority.
i believe affirmative action is like the appendix, it once served an important purpose but now is useless and only causes more problems than it solves. It is impossible to make up the past, for it is exactly that, the past. the only positive thing that can come from negative things is to learn from them so we do not repeat them. But no matter what you do, you cant erase it or make it right. after the civil rights movement some blacks may have felt the governmend ought to pay them a sum of money for the wrongs they have been given. but the money would only superficially mask the pain, because the memories will never go away. therefore i dont really understand its purpose anymore.
ReplyDeletethis being said, i dont believe colleges and universities should use such policies. my biggest problem with such philosophies is that they are always self-serving. for example if ever you hear a minority (ill use race here for simplicity) complaining about the disproportion of whites in universities, one simply needs to respond with the question of the disproportion of african-americans in sports. for if we are going to try and level the playing field, we must completely level the playing field. it is the only completely fair way. if call for there to be a minimum of 20% of blacks at all colleges than you better be ready for there to be at least 20% of whites (or anyother minority as the case may be) in football.
the problem is that in trying to fix racism, we are continueing to be racist. the only real way to fix such problems i see then is to make everything completely blind. collegiate offices should luck strictly at the numbers and essays that make up the person and reqruiting teams should only look at the verified stats. objectiveness is key. and if in doing this we end up with more whites in college and blacks in sports then it is because they were more qualified and therefore more fair.
Color, religion, and sex should not be allowed to sway the decision of the admissions committee of any public institution. As others have said, the people of best qualification deserve to fill open spots. However,I find no harm in breaking down scholarships to schools into race, religion, ect. it's giving everyone better odds of getting money to help afford the cost of education today. Also, I believe private schools should be allowed to admit only those who they wish to, be it an all mens school or all women, a religious school or a military school.
ReplyDeleteI believe affirmative action is helpful in some way. I do believe that qualification based acceptance into institution is valid, but one must consider that minorities do not get all the opportunities that are available for non-minorities. One must see that minorities come from different parts of the world, in which they do not have the opportunity for and advanced education and most often are classified as low-income civilians in the united states. I belive it is great for institution to provide minorities with opportunities that without affirmative action would not be possible.
ReplyDeleteCastaneda
I do not agree with affirmative action because I feel like it is "reverse discrimination." I feel like having a diverse school community is a very good thing, but diversity can happen without affimative action. I believe that diversity can create itself when we focus on the different strengths, interests, and talents of the students, rather than race and ethnic background. I do believe in working to assist society’s less-advantaged members, but i think it is impossible to remedy the effects of past discrimination. I think that the justice for those that have been deprived in the past is that now they have equal opportunities today in our society.
ReplyDeleteh.crutch