Critique of Affirmative Action & ADA
Abstract
There were numerous people in our society that are physically or mentally disabled and are not able to have a fair shot at employment as well as other public services. This was until The American with Disability ACT (ADA) and the Affirmative Action laws passed. The American Disabilities Act and Affirmative Action are examples of two separate laws put into place to protect these people, and in turn offering these people equal opportunities. Within the ADA and Affirmative Action, there are pros and cons that exist. Many people view Affirmative Action as a form of reverse discrimination. Some people, including myself (in very specific situations), view the use of affirmative action as being used for the sake of being socially or politically correct. For example, I know of employers who have hired minorities just to keep the company diverse to avoid lawsuits and issues within the company and the community.
The United States of America is a culturally diverse place. There are people from different cultures, people with different religious and moral standards and beliefs, and people from different races and of different ethnicities. There are also people living among our society that face special circumstances, such as living physically or mentally disabled. These people are challenged by a chronic illness or even sexual orientation. Throughout history there have been cases in which people have been discriminated against, ostracized and excluded based solely on their race, culture, religion, or disabilities. The American Disabilities Act and Affirmative Action are examples of two separate laws put into place to protect these people, and in turn offering these people equal opportunities.
The American Disabilities Act or ADA was put into place initially in 1990 by President George W. Bush. The ADA is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities. The ADA describes a person with a disability as follows: “An individual with a disability
There were numerous people in our society that are physically or mentally disabled and are not able to have a fair shot at employment as well as other public services. This was until The American with Disability ACT (ADA) and the Affirmative Action laws passed. The American Disabilities Act and Affirmative Action are examples of two separate laws put into place to protect these people, and in turn offering these people equal opportunities. Within the ADA and Affirmative Action, there are pros and cons that exist. Many people view Affirmative Action as a form of reverse discrimination. Some people, including myself (in very specific situations), view the use of affirmative action as being used for the sake of being socially or politically correct. For example, I know of employers who have hired minorities just to keep the company diverse to avoid lawsuits and issues within the company and the community.
The United States of America is a culturally diverse place. There are people from different cultures, people with different religious and moral standards and beliefs, and people from different races and of different ethnicities. There are also people living among our society that face special circumstances, such as living physically or mentally disabled. These people are challenged by a chronic illness or even sexual orientation. Throughout history there have been cases in which people have been discriminated against, ostracized and excluded based solely on their race, culture, religion, or disabilities. The American Disabilities Act and Affirmative Action are examples of two separate laws put into place to protect these people, and in turn offering these people equal opportunities.
The American Disabilities Act or ADA was put into place initially in 1990 by President George W. Bush. The ADA is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities. The ADA describes a person with a disability as follows: “An individual with a disability
References: American Association for Affirmative Action. (2012). About Affirmative Action. Retrieved from http://www.affirmativeaction.org U.S. Department of Justice, American Disabilities Act. (2012). Disability Rights Section. Retrieved from http://www.ada.gov/