FREE ESSAY ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Affirmative Action
Affirmative action is considered to be one of the most controversial dilemmas facing
equal status of individual rights for Americans today. When it began affirmative action
was implemented with the idea and hope that America would finally become truly equal. So
far, it has lasted for thirty years and hasn't solved any of our current problems
concerning equal rights - in fact it made things worse. It was created with the intention
of using reverse discrimination to solve the problem of discrimination. In that,
individuals from minority groups are being chosen over the qualifications of other
workers. Some find it unfair in practice; others find it very helpful. 
Those that stand with affirmative action are usually in a situation in which they have
benefited from it. The reasoning behind those who support affirmative action is based on
the principle that it establishes a situation where equal opportunity is distributed
among minorities for jobs. Prior to affirmative action - city, state, and government jobs
were almost completely closed off to minorities and women. In our present day, minorities
and women have seen a tremendous increase in the acceptance of jobs in those workplaces.
Suppose that an American male and a minority (Hispanic, Afro-American, woman, etc.) are
applying for the same job, the American male is much more qualified than the minority,
therefore, logically, the American should be hired. Due to the quota system companies, in
order to meet that quota, must hire the minority applicant. This is for the better
because, in that sense, were are slowly but surely making some advancement in solving the
problem of racial inequality in America's workplace. 
The educational system is also highly influenced by affirmative action. Minority students
who before never had a chance to be accepted into a college, are now being accepted, also
due to the quota system. They are given the chance to prove that, with the help of
affirmative action, they can get an education and end up with a better job after
graduating. 
The Constitution states that we the people of the United States of America, are all
created equal. Therefore, since we are all equal, shouldn't we all have the same
opportunities? Equal opportunity is achieved when disadvantaged people are given chances
to succeed in life. To start to achieve a better life, one must have proper education,
because education is the key to our future. Therefore, through education, minorities must
be given the chance to get a good start at securing their future. 
Critics of affirmative action argue that this quota is unfair. White males are being
forced to pay a price in that they are now the ones being discriminated against. While
the minorities enjoy the benefits such as jobs and education, white males are often
forced to ask why preferential treatment was given to anyone. To give favor to males or
to females, to whites, to blacks or to persons of any color, because of a single
characteristic is morally wrong because doing so is intrinsically unfair. Color,
nationality, and sex are not attributes that entitle anyone to more (or less) of the good
things in life, or to any special favor (or disfavor). When, in the past, whites or males
did receive such preferences, that was wrong; it is no less wrong when the colors or
sexes are reversed. 
In the workplace, critics argue that because of affirmative action, now they are being
treated unequally. Jobs in which they are more likely to succeed are being offered to
less qualified minorities. Not only does this affect the potential white employees, but
the employer also has to suffer this condition. Employers are being asked to hire less
qualified workers and pay them equivalent wages for often sub-par work.
In concern with education, colleges are being forced to base student acceptance, not on
just academics, but also on ethnic background. Many are displeased because through out
their years in school, they have been struggling to get good grades in hopes that in the
future they would be accepted to the college of their choice. To have that taken away
from them, especially by minorities who do not rank as high in academic achievements is
completely unfair. From another educational standpoint, not only are the quality students
being filtered out, quality teachers are also being filtered out. Universities have also
been force to adopt the quota system for their faculty. Minority teachers, whose
education may not be as complete, are replacing highly qualified teachers, to meet these
quotas, and consequently the education of the students of that institution suffers. 
Affirmative action should be based on the fact that, if given equal opportunity, equal
results should follow. It should not be causing greater rifts between races. If we
continue to differentiate people based on the their color, gender, or nationality, then
we will not achieve anything and we would be no different than our ancestors. Times have
changed, and as it has changed, so shall we. We should head into the future, not with
bitterness toward one another, but instead with dignity and respect.