Affirmative Action was put in place in the 1960's to benefit minority groups regarding factors such as race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and national origin. Such action programs main intentions are to correct imbalances created by past discrimination, while preventing future discrimination against those groups. It takes into account centuries of past discrimination to said groups and hopes to provide them with opportunities, by giving them preferential treatment. Proponents state that racism and sexism still exist, and affirmative action is integral in to eliminating it. These advocates also say affirmative action promotes diversity in colleges and the workplace and produces good social consequences by leveling the playing field. However, critics of affirmative action often see these policies as ineffective and vastly outdated. Stating that the goals focus on the past, in hopes to change the future, which has largely proven unsuccessful for over fifty years. They insist that any discrimination is wrong, and people shouldn't be restricted by their ancestor's wrongdoing. .
Another factor affirmative action opponents argue is the real goal should be to make our society race and gender blind, but such programs make physical factors relevant to someone's ability for a position. The critics also stand behind the common sense principle, which states that the best applicant should get the job regardless of other physical or social characteristics. Consequently legal, social, and political controversy ensues over affirmative action and it's place in our society in the twenty first century (Popovic 76). Proponents for affirmative action rely strongly on the concept of justice as the root of their argument. They believe that past actions of the majority group are still responsible for the disadvantages to minority groups today. Without affirmative action programs diversity would be left up to chance, causing further segregation and fewer opportunities for minorities to attain top spots in schools and jobs.
