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As in most instances there are always at least two sides to every discussion. Here we are looking at the sides of both the people in favor of affirmative action, and those opposed to it. My views of this topic are that this is a good thing for the country and its people; it provides a level playing field for everyone looking for employment or university acceptant. This paper will scrutinize the racial segment of this problem.
Research.
Perhaps the biggest complaint that one hears about affirmative action policies aimed at helping Black Americans is that they violate the 14th Amendment of the Constitution and the Civil Rights laws. The claim is that these programs distort what is now a level playing field and give preferential treatment to undeserving minorities because of their skin color. While this logic may seem understandable at first sight, I contend that it lacks any historical support and is aimed more at preserving existing white privilege than establishing equal opportunity for all. Any cursory look at the history of this nation should provide a serious critique to the idea of a level playing field. Since the formation of this nation Blacks have been enslaved, oppressed and exploited. Until 1954, when the Supreme Court handed down their Brown vs. Brown ruling, blacks were legally pushed to the margin of society where many were left to dwell in poverty and powerlessness. The Brown decision removed the legal impediments that so long kept blacks in the impoverished peripheral. In my mind in order for the American, or for that matter, the world community to survive and prosper everyone needs to be treated equal and given the same chance to succeed. .
Naturally everyone is not going to get along. Everybody harbors some sort of prejudice, usually based on their past experiences with other races. My major gripe with past experiences is that a person is judging an entire race of people on one persons actions.