Affirmative Action came to be
Erica Pilgreen
Mrs. Miller
AP Lang.
29 January 2013
Affirmative Action
On June 19, 1963 Affirmative action came to be. According to Merriam-Webster, Affirmative action is an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination. Affirmative action began as a simple idea to expand equality; however, it has morphed into a charged and divisive topic. Affirmative action has spread from job markets into college admissions. Harvard is now offering reduced tuition to African American students who meet academic requirements in an attempt to diversify their student body, while I believe that is an unfair practice because the quotas in college admissions deny and exclude other students the opportunity to be educated, campuses become balkanized, and unqualified or incompetent students are being placed in positions they should not be because of flawed decision making from white superiors trying to be compliant with their HR department.
Though I believe affirmative action in universities is unfair, I do believe it has its positives fighting for the cause. Affirmative action could diversify universities and challenge the minority (African-Americans) to rise above failing grades and violence against the majority (Caucasians) of students. However, diversifying universities will simply reveal the differences between races; therefore, causing insecurity and inferiority into both the minority and majority of students. Not to mention, this inferiority and insecurity will only cause the minority to focus on opening themed houses, getting the approval of separate teachers, administrators, etc.; therefore, the minority will not focus on their grades and most certainly not on peace with the majority, in fact the opposite will happen. The minority will merely strive towards the exclusion of their race in the university.
There are several examples of affirmative action putting a quota on college admissions and denying other races/students, who are
Mrs. Miller
AP Lang.
29 January 2013
Affirmative Action
On June 19, 1963 Affirmative action came to be. According to Merriam-Webster, Affirmative action is an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination. Affirmative action began as a simple idea to expand equality; however, it has morphed into a charged and divisive topic. Affirmative action has spread from job markets into college admissions. Harvard is now offering reduced tuition to African American students who meet academic requirements in an attempt to diversify their student body, while I believe that is an unfair practice because the quotas in college admissions deny and exclude other students the opportunity to be educated, campuses become balkanized, and unqualified or incompetent students are being placed in positions they should not be because of flawed decision making from white superiors trying to be compliant with their HR department.
Though I believe affirmative action in universities is unfair, I do believe it has its positives fighting for the cause. Affirmative action could diversify universities and challenge the minority (African-Americans) to rise above failing grades and violence against the majority (Caucasians) of students. However, diversifying universities will simply reveal the differences between races; therefore, causing insecurity and inferiority into both the minority and majority of students. Not to mention, this inferiority and insecurity will only cause the minority to focus on opening themed houses, getting the approval of separate teachers, administrators, etc.; therefore, the minority will not focus on their grades and most certainly not on peace with the majority, in fact the opposite will happen. The minority will merely strive towards the exclusion of their race in the university.
There are several examples of affirmative action putting a quota on college admissions and denying other races/students, who are