The System that Created Affirmative Action
The System that Created Affirmative Action
Affirmative action is a subject of increasing debate and tension in American society. The debate seems to be more emotional than intellectual, and it has probably generated more tension than anything else. People tend to over examine the ethical and moral issues that affirmative action raises while forgetting to analyze the system that has created it.
Often, affirmative action is looked upon as the cure-all for a nation once ill with the disease of racial discrimination, which some people feel, is now cured. More people say Affirmative action should be seen as, a temporary, partial, and perhaps even flawed remedy for past and continuing discrimination against minority groups in American society. Affirmative action working as it should, affords minority groups greater equality of opportunity. Some claim that these programs distort what is now a level playing field and bestow partisan treatment on minorities because of the color of their skin. While this view may seem very logical on the surface, many contend that it lacks any historical support and is aimed more at preserving existing white privilege than establishing equality of opportunity for all.
Some critics attack affirmative action and say that affirmative action corrupts the purity of the process. And that extreme care must be taken in determining who receives affirmative action program benefits and how long and at what rate they receive them. I must, also, agree in that affirmative action may tear down a "color-blind" society. And while the policies of affirmative action are not perfect and do raise some legitimate ethical concerns, some people still believe that they take us away from a system that is inherently unfair to some groups.
Affirmative action seems to contradict several of the characteristics our society is known for. One is that we are governed by our abilities and just as some have the characteristic of leadership others have the gift of working with their hands. Some would say we are sending a mixed message. And that the belief that was taught to many people while growing up is contradicted by affirmative action; as it judges not what a person works for, but who they are. And others say affirmative action abolishes this factor. Most people would not want to be rewarded with a good job or admission into a certain graduate program, based on something other than work ethic...