The issue of civil rights is a central tenant in a government of the most diverse nation on Earth. The people, events, images, and processes involved in the ongoing story of civil rights are as dynamic as any in American history, and it is remarkable that our nation has evolved from a long tradition of slavery into a society which elected its first African American president. That remarkable event does not mean that discrimination or civil rights are issues of the past, however. On that same day in November 2008, a series of state initiatives across the nation restricted the rights of gays and lesbians including the right to marry and adopt children, providing a strong example of the numerous civil rights battles that are continuing nationwide.
While there is much to discuss regarding civil rights in America today, our time is short and we will be focusing on one topic that affects us all as members of an academic community: the debate over affirmative action. For this week’s blog, read the chapter that was assigned, making sure to focus on the page which outlines the two sides of the affirmative action debate. As you do so, please think about affirmative action broadly (going beyond race alone) and answer the following question:
Does affirmative action in college admissions create more of a positive or negative effect?
If affirmative action wasn't needed, then we would not have it. Affirmative action helps lessen the divide that has been ingrained into this country and its politics. Affirmative action creates a positive effect because it allows different people who have purposefully been negated from the academic process to get as good as an education as their majority counterparts. When people speak on affirmative action they often wrongfully regard it as "reverse racism" this phrase is an oxymoron in itself. To be racist is to hate a person for no other reason than their skin color. The history in this country has shown that many Anglo-Saxons came here from Europe with this attitude and passed it down to their children and so on. in effect many Blacks that had been killed, tortured and discriminated against grew to distrust people who were mistreating us, or people who didn't want us to have rights. That is not reverse racism, it's a smart observation with a calculated reaction. Why would I like someone who struck me? true racism isn't anything that can be reversed. It's not intrinsically Black. Racism against Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, women or men is still racism. "Reverse racism" is a term used by racists themselves in a self pitying manor, to try and gain the same emotion for much smaller infractions.
ReplyDeleteAffirmative action is also good because it increases competition among student. Instead of a room full of people that look just like you, you can compete with the best brains and brawn from around the country, regardless of sex, religion, or race. It also helps to create a more accepting environment, by exposing culture to persons who may not have ever seen someone from another walk of life. Christian interact with Hindu's, women with men, Asians with Europeans. We become a more tolerant nation through affirmative action
It seems to me that if there wasn’t affirmative action - college campuses would not reflect much diversity in its student body; administration or faculty. I also have to wonder if the students who are admitted through legacy admissions; face similar interest. Is anyone looking at their grade point average? But I digress.
ReplyDeleteThe arguments for and against affirmative action continue on. The program while designed to level the field for the traditionally disenfranchised, has its flaws. Those who benefit most from the program do not appear to be the ones for whom it was intended. Again, would the historically economically disadvantaged members of society; male, female, white, black or indifferent – have the knowledge and wherewithal to search out these opportunities? Not sure - but perhaps instead of focusing the debates on affirmative action on college campus, more attention should be given to the condition of the American education system from elementary level and beyond. Give EVERYONE an opportunity to start on an equal playing field – quality education across all social and racial spheres - how much affirmative action would be needed in college admissions.
Angel- I agree and would like to share a theory I came across in a WSS class (which by the way should be mandatory in high school to teach the future generations the truth about classism, racism and sexism in the this country and abroad), Racism = prejudice + institutional power. I agree with this equation/ theory. According to this equation, sure people of color can be prejudiced but they do not have the institutional power to enact racism. This means since institutional power is not held by people of color, any prejudices they may have towards another group does not have the governmental-political-law enacting-police-forcing muscle to hugely affect said group.
ReplyDeleteI was watching an interview on tv a few months ago with Michelle Alexander who wrote, The New Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness (I haven't read it yet but its my plan for after finals). She is talking about the effects of institutional racism and how basically, the demographic of prison populations alongside of certain laws, like 3 strikes your out in certain states target low income and african american populations, equals modern day enslavement. Prisons have nothing to do with rehabilitation and everything to do with oppression and exploitation.
Affirmative action is necessary because of the vast inequalities that our system holds in place.
Created in the 60s, affirmative action programs attempted to undo past racial discrimination by giving preference to minorities. The idea behind these programs was to help minorities gain the representation in the job market that paralleled their percentage of the population. Unfortunately, affirmative action has become a 30-year-old policy that places many underqualified minorities in positions over more qualified non-minorities. Preferential treatment of minorities has caused problems not only in the workplace, but also in our colleges throughout the country. I think affirmative action policies in college admissions must be eliminated because of the negative effects they have on campuses across the nation.
ReplyDeleteThere are numerous arguments that defend the use of affirmative action and support its positive effect on college campuses. Supporters of affirmative action believe that minorities are still disadvantaged and that it is "absolutely necessary to level the playing field". They believe that minorities will never be given a fair chance at college unless there is diversity between students. They also argue that affirmative action is the best solution to past discrimination and color-blindness, and that without affirmative action the gaps between our races will never close. Although these arguments may have positive aspects such as creating a multicultural campus, I think affirmative action causes more problems than it solves. The leading problem with these ideas on affirmative action in colleges is that it has completely failed to accomplish one of its main goals: reduce the color-consciousness of college students and ease racial tension. On the contrary, it has done exactly the opposite because affirmative action poses a conflict between 2 basic and fundamental American principles: the belief that all Americans deserve EQUAL opportunities and the idea that HARD WORK and MERIT (not race or religion or gender or ethnicity) should determine who succeeds in life and who does not. We cannot expect college students to see everyone equally unless everyone is considered EQUAL when applying for college. You know what? how about removing the section on college applications that says "Race", and consider students by their hard work in school, not by the color of their skin. And why wouldn't we admit that, no matter how open-minded people are, racial tension among students in colleges will always be there (of course to a certain degree). The white student sees minorities as undeserving, while the minority student sees the whites as racists who works against them.
I think the solution to racial problems in America is to completely ban affirmative action programs and provide local public schools with more resources that prepare students for college. More funds should be distributed to these schools and incentives given to teachers who teach at these schools. By encouraging teachers to educate students in disadvantaged schools, a better staff will be available to help minority students develop a competitiveness in college admissions. This will allow all students to be admitted into college based not on their skin color, but on their OWN MERIT AND HARD WORK. Over time, colleges as well as the workplace, will naturally become more diverse
and racially unified.
@ Hasaan, I agree with the last paragraph of your blog, which is similar to what Nicole said, elementary and High schools in low income and or highly minority populated areas must receive more funding, better programs, and teachers well equiped to prepare these students for a future that includes college or successfully taking whatever steps they must take to use their talents to be functioning adults in society. That would be ideal. I believe it can and should happen, but honestly, until it does I see nothing wrong with affirmative action and as a white person I do not, and never have as you say "see minorities as undeserving..." I think that is the same exact attitude as the homophobes who see gays wanting to get married as a threat to the sanctity of marriage, or men who thought it ridiculous before 1920 for women to want to vote, honestly I see no significant difference between these attitudes because they are all based on small-minded fear. The fact of the matter is that white men have been getting privileges over every other segment of society since rules started getting written down, so now, oh no! the scary 'other' is going to take my job/education/money/power. Cry me a river.
ReplyDeleteIt is a step toward equality, until all other barriers are removed, it must remain.
by the way, how does everyone feel about those who served in the military receiving extra points on civil service exams, hence possibly getting jobs over others who may be more qualified? Is this fair? Who exactly gets to define and judge "hard work and merit" ?
As a product of the slums I can tell you affirmative action is a net negative. I don't need Charles Murray or Thomas Sowell to confirm this, but their research is ironclad and a must-read for anyone who feels (notice I did not say 'thinks') affirmative action is worth continuing.
ReplyDeleteAffirmative action represents the worst characteristic of white guilt--the unwillingness to do anything substantial to help the truly disadvantaged. Instead, the leftist white establishment predictably goes for the quick fix. Why improve primary and secondary education? You can ignore the real problem and then--Presto!--graduates who can't read their diplomas become instant college material. And NO--for the love of Pete--inner city schools are NOT underfunded as the President insinuates--not for the last 50 years. "Underfunded ghetto schools" are a myth used by the liberal white Establishment to further expand their power. Just ask Daniel Patrick Moynihan (who's a Democrat, by the way).
Like me, LBJ came from dirt poverty and wanted to do something positive for those in the same situation. He could have demanded school accountability, implemented standards, offered incentives for students, and encouraged private institutions to help in the cause for racial equality. Instead, he opted for affirmative action, and black progress was stopped in its tracks. Let's not make the same mistake twice.
I believe that affirmative action in the academic setting is a good thing. Academia to be effective, should represent the society in which it finds itself in. There are many different races, cultures, sexualities in our society and by allowing preferential entrance it allows for a much greater educational experience than just book knowledge. By simply being in close proximity to those people who are of a different nature, we have the opportunity to experience their view point. By affording a forum for open questions and discussions, we can see that people are people and even if we don't agree with their lifestyles or appreciate their culture or customs, we can see that they are no different than anyone else.
ReplyDeleteThere will be enough time after graduation to get back to the cliquish groups that form in the workplace, neighborhoods and other social events of our making.
Everyone deserves an opportunity, and it should be given to everybody, but we cannot hand in the results, or a "trophy on a platter" to everyone, they should earn it.
ReplyDeleteRemember the "affirmative action baby"-Justice Sotomayor? In Ricci v. DeStefano, She wrote the desicion to throw away the scores of the New Haven firefighters' tests because the black firefighter could not pass it. The attorney for the plaintiffs argued that lots of forefighters die every day and we need them to have be best qualified. This is a perfect example of lowering the standards so that the "underprivilegded" could be considered, one of the negative results of the affirmative action.(note: Sotomayor's decision was later reversed).
Everything i worked for in my life, i worked hard for it, without even the help of family, and never had the opportunity placed itself in front of me, i had to fight for it.
Never have i felt any slightest previlige or discrimination over another group.
Racial conscientiousness whould always exist in any society, but that should not help anybody "pass the test".
“Affirmative Action is not a clearly defined law. It is the sum of voluntary and mandatory guidelines established by businesses, schools and government (federal, state and local) which came about following the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.” Affirmative Action is defined as an “effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women.” To me Affirmative Action is a good thing because it helps keep order and also it encourages competition as well as it gives people opportunities to take part in their communities, and government.
ReplyDeleteEveryone that lives within the America deserves a chance. People who are not as fortunate to be blessed with the necessary means...money....benefit greatly from affirmative action. So do I think that affirmative action is needed...yes I do. I feel that it is the one program that allows for everyone to get a fair chance at the world and at sucess. Without this chance of upward movement there would b no opportunity for those who are less fortunate to get ahead in life!
ReplyDeleteI personally view affirmative action as just a response to past or present discrimination, stress the social benefits of producing minority role models and leaders, and that there are educational benefits to diversity. While some may see affirmative action as having a negative effect on college admission, I don’t see it. Without an affirmative action it would make minorities feel unwelcome and deter them from attending colleges. Conversely, some individuals may be inclined to attend a university where it is known that race played no role in their admission decision. I believe that Race and gender should not be the sole selection criteria. People just fail to understand that affirmative action is just to increase the admissions rates of minorities that are under-represented in America's colleges. Affirmative action does not make it easy for students from a disadvantaged background to get into college; it merely makes up for some of the difficulties.
ReplyDelete