affirmative action
Jathan Young
Professor Perkins
1302 MB2
2 March 2014
The Case against Affirmative Action
While racism is definitely wrong, the American society as a whole has taken the whole race issue to the other end of the spectrum. People are afraid of being ‘politically incorrect’ and therefore try will keep silence on issues they feel strongly against since it may upset someone else. Since the Civil Rights Act of 1964, there has been a push to give minorities extra benefits simply because of their race. One of these concepts, named Affirmative Action, allows minorities to have preference over whites and Asians in the work place and in schools. This is done because minorities have been irrevocably damaged by the last 200 years and need the help to be as successful as their white counterparts. A highly controversial topic, numerous books and documentaries have come out in support or opposition of this practice. While in theory it sounds like the humane thing to do, Affirmative Action is one of the worst policies by employers and colleges that has created a greater rift between majorities and minorities and has lowered the standards of businesses and schools across the country.
One of the biggest problems with Affirmative Action is that is causes schools and businesses to lessen their requirements in the name of diversity. Instead of allowing the best qualified individuals in, regardless of skin color, they are forced to accept worse candidates simply because they are of a certain race. According to Facts on file, a news company, in a recent court case college applicant Abigail Fisher sued the University of Texas because she said they admitted a less qualified person simply because they were black and she was white (Facts on File). Thankfully, the Supreme Court agreed with her that this was unconstitutional. Not only does it cause whites and Asians to have to be almost perfect in every aspect if they wish to be admitted to higher end universities and prestigious
Professor Perkins
1302 MB2
2 March 2014
The Case against Affirmative Action
While racism is definitely wrong, the American society as a whole has taken the whole race issue to the other end of the spectrum. People are afraid of being ‘politically incorrect’ and therefore try will keep silence on issues they feel strongly against since it may upset someone else. Since the Civil Rights Act of 1964, there has been a push to give minorities extra benefits simply because of their race. One of these concepts, named Affirmative Action, allows minorities to have preference over whites and Asians in the work place and in schools. This is done because minorities have been irrevocably damaged by the last 200 years and need the help to be as successful as their white counterparts. A highly controversial topic, numerous books and documentaries have come out in support or opposition of this practice. While in theory it sounds like the humane thing to do, Affirmative Action is one of the worst policies by employers and colleges that has created a greater rift between majorities and minorities and has lowered the standards of businesses and schools across the country.
One of the biggest problems with Affirmative Action is that is causes schools and businesses to lessen their requirements in the name of diversity. Instead of allowing the best qualified individuals in, regardless of skin color, they are forced to accept worse candidates simply because they are of a certain race. According to Facts on file, a news company, in a recent court case college applicant Abigail Fisher sued the University of Texas because she said they admitted a less qualified person simply because they were black and she was white (Facts on File). Thankfully, the Supreme Court agreed with her that this was unconstitutional. Not only does it cause whites and Asians to have to be almost perfect in every aspect if they wish to be admitted to higher end universities and prestigious