In 1971, the landmark Supreme Court ruling in University of California Reagents v. Allan Bakke stated that fixed quotas could not be set for minority applicants to a college or university while simultaneously denying white applicants a chance to compete for these places. However, the Supreme Court did maintain that colleges and universities might consider race as a factor in deciding admission. The case's verdict concluded that colleges and universities may use race to decide admission, but cannot set a specific percentage of persons admitted to be of a minority (Encyclopedia Britannica). Therefore, allowing the race card to permeate into the era would surrealistically eliminate discrimination.
In broad terms, many people feel that while affirmative action has a worthy purpose in terms of diversification of employees and university attendees, affirmative action ultimately does not achieve this end. According to Guernsey, "You could abolish affirmative action tomorrow, and not much would change" (Guernsey 23). Some also feel that affirmative action has influenced the United States negatively, the antithesis of the intent of the Supreme Court decision. Shelby Steele states, "I think affirmative action has shown itself to be more bad than good that the blacks now stand to lose more than they gain" (Mills 39). More specifically, Steele feels that affirmative action has a negative effect on African-Americans.
Minorities, primarily those individuals of African-American descent, receive compensation for the injustices their minority suffered in the past, including slavery and segregational practices. This compensation appears unjustified because the specific minority individuals affected by affirmative action now have never been personally discriminated against in the same fashion. According to Steele, "It [affirmative action] is "owed," a form of reparation" (Mills 43). Many supporters of affirmative action view the practice as means of reparation for the historical wrongdoings imposed on that group.
Affirmative action is a question of morals. Affirmative action is a growing argument among our society. ... Is affirmative action fair? ... Well if that is a reason for affirmative action why not make it to where all children, regardless of race, who are in the poorer communities reap the benefits of affirmative action. ... Affirmative action should definitely be looked into with greater depth. ...
This compromise can also be known as a form of Affirmative Action. ... (Franz ) Even today, many states still use some shape or form of affirmative action, but affirmative action is becoming less and less popular among colleges across the nation. ... (Froomkin C6) In support of affirmative action, many people have organized groups to support their cause- keeping Affirmative Action. ... CEO, the Center for Equal Opportunity, another group that strongly supports affirmative action, takes radical views on Affirmative Action and the abilities of minorities. ... In affirmative action, it does...
The battle against affirmative action has gone so far as to halting affirmative action in places such as Missouri, and even drastically ending affirmative action in California. ... Affirmative action was organized with good intentions, however quickly many groups organized to protest affirmative action. Despite affirmative actions greatness there are intense debates. Affirmative action was ended by the foe of affirmative action, Ward Connerly. ... It is believed by the foes of affirmative action that affirmative action allowed unqualified minorities admission into the best Universities in...
It's Time To Redefine Affirmative Action Presidents and citizens of the United States have debated affirmative action for the past forty years. ... Affirmative action has infiltrated our society and in some way influences everyone. ... Bill Clinton has no doubt affirmative action has worked, but since there is still discrimination there should still be affirmative action (7). ... Affirmative action is reverse discrimination against whites. ... Affirmative action has worn out its welcome in many communities. ...
Affirmative action supporters make one large assumption when defending the policy. ... But, that is exactly what affirmative action does. ... These stunning facts shows just how many competent, if not gifted students fall between the cracks as a direct result of affirmative action (Affirmative action). ... Works Cited "Affirmative Action at the University of California at Berkeley" Online. ... Affirmative Action in the 1980's: Dismantling the Process of Discrimination. ...
Affirmative Action Animosity Affirmative action is the U.S. program set forth in the early 1970's to correct the effects of past discrimination by giving preferential treatment to women and ethnic minorities in the workplace. At the time of affirmative action's induction to society, proponents of affirmative action programs felt that the only way to increase the number of minorities in the workplace was to establish a system of quotas to be maintained by law. ... Affirmative action has created numerous opportunities for women and minorities in this country. ... Affirmative action mus...
Affirmative Action Affirmative Action efforts were started in 1964 to end the long history of overlooking qualified people of color and women from higher education. ... However, Affirmative action is highly controversial. ... The law will start slowly first, ending Affirmative Action in the schools of California, leading up to the abolishment of Affirmative Action all together. ... Abolishing Affirmative Action is not the answer. ... Affirmative Action gave Ellis a chance he would not have gotten if Affirmative Action did not exist. ...
