This paper is based upon the argument present in issue 19 in the Taking Sides book. The book asks if affirmative action programs in public school admissions policies violate the fourteenth amendment. Not only will I prove how affirmative action policies violate the fourteenth amendment, I will illustrate how they hamper our academic community as a whole by allowing, and quite possibly condoning underachievement.
Affirmative action was and still is to some degree a government instituted policy. It became most noticeable in the 1960's civil rights movement that was designed to break down the barriers of segregation and exclusion against people of minority status. People of minority status encompassed a broad spectrum of individuals. During the 1960's when affirmative action policies were flourishing, the minorities were essentially those who were not white, male, and middle or upper class, but primarily those who were black. Those policies worked to desegregate and include minorities at a level that was inconceivable before the civil rights movement. But today there is a worth and necessity of the affirmative action policy to be reconsidered so that it provides a 21st century view on racial and ethnical related concerns in public schools.
Perhaps this paper should start out with some fundamental laws concerning the issue. According to the fourteenth amendment to the United States Constitution, "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." The Equal Protection Clause reads that "No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal Financial assistance.
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. ...
The Pitfalls of Affirmative Action "I want to be the minority. ... The roots of affirmative action can be traced to the mid--nineteenth century. ... In addition, affirmative action often rewards minority individuals as an indirect consequence of affirmative action. ... As a result, affirmative action may provide a sense of self- doubt, rejection, and inferiority among racial and gender specific minorities, who benefit as a result of affirmative action. ... Affirmative action has always been an aberration from our lost principles. ...
