The Pros And Cons Of Affirmative Action
Affirmative action is a controversial topic in the United States. This essay will discuss affirmative action and the controversy surrounding it in the United States. To better understand affirmative action and the controversy surrounding it, the origins, arguments for and against it, and my personal opinion will all be discussed.
Affirmative action is defined as the effort to improve the employment and educational opportunities for historically excluded or discriminated groups in American society. This means that women and members of minority groups, blacks, receive preferential treatment in job hiring, college admissions, and other social benefits.
The term [affirmative action] was an outcome of the Civil Rights Movement. President Kennedy …show more content…
Some states have ban the use of affirmative action in hiring and college admissions.
The side for affirmative action makes the argument that it “levels the playing field” by giving minorities opportunities they may have not had because of their race or gender. In addition, affirmative action helps counteract ongoing institutional discrimination and thus allowing diversity. Diversity is important because the differences in [racial, religion, or ethnic] backgrounds make up different life experiences for individuals, and thus a variety of thought processes that may be used in interactions and solving problems. This then forces institutions to be more representative of the populations they serve.
Critics of affirmative action make the argument that it is reverse discrimination by favoring one group over another. This makes it so opportunities are not equal for everyone, rather minorities are at an advantage. This advantage can then stigmatize those who benefit from affirmative action because it suggests that they obtained their position because of their gender or race, and not by their assets. Another argument is that those who had no part in past discrimination are being penalized for it, as they lose opportunities for something they are not at fault
Affirmative action is defined as the effort to improve the employment and educational opportunities for historically excluded or discriminated groups in American society. This means that women and members of minority groups, blacks, receive preferential treatment in job hiring, college admissions, and other social benefits.
The term [affirmative action] was an outcome of the Civil Rights Movement. President Kennedy …show more content…
Some states have ban the use of affirmative action in hiring and college admissions.
The side for affirmative action makes the argument that it “levels the playing field” by giving minorities opportunities they may have not had because of their race or gender. In addition, affirmative action helps counteract ongoing institutional discrimination and thus allowing diversity. Diversity is important because the differences in [racial, religion, or ethnic] backgrounds make up different life experiences for individuals, and thus a variety of thought processes that may be used in interactions and solving problems. This then forces institutions to be more representative of the populations they serve.
Critics of affirmative action make the argument that it is reverse discrimination by favoring one group over another. This makes it so opportunities are not equal for everyone, rather minorities are at an advantage. This advantage can then stigmatize those who benefit from affirmative action because it suggests that they obtained their position because of their gender or race, and not by their assets. Another argument is that those who had no part in past discrimination are being penalized for it, as they lose opportunities for something they are not at fault