These minority groups are also viewed as staring at a disadvantage, and lawfully are owed a boost to level the playing field. Statistically it is also proven that minorities come from lower income families, and therefore often receive a lesser education, leaving them with less "paper " qualifications when applying to schools or companies (Messeril). Proponents also state that affirmative action programs draw diversity into professions and schools, where there wouldn't be otherwise. Minorities in to ivy leagues, females in to engineering fields, and males in to nursing are just a few of the professions that have been diversified through affirmative actions. .
The stigma of these one-sided professions would've never been broken without affirmative action allowing opportunities to the minority groups. In the past, African Americans were consistently seen as less capable then their white counterparts. It took affirmative action to allow African Americans to opportunity to show that they were just as strong as their white co-workers once given the rightful opportunity. Also advocates argue it is important that females and minority races be represented in the business world to offer a diverse, more complete organization for all of the American consumers. Diversity also creates a better learning and work environment for everyone, as many people are not exposed to the multitude of views that come from minority minds (Messeril). Another argument pro affirmative action is the variety of good social consequences. For instance, minorities are now able to have strong role models that they can celebrate, while minimizing majority prejudice towards those groups. Advocates hope that ultimately affirmative action will also lead to a race and gender blind society, the true end goal of affirmative action (Popovic 78). Perhaps one of the strongest arguments for affirmative action is that justice needs to be served, and compensation is owed to minorities for the centuries of slavery and opposition they faced.