Racial Progress In America
Race in America
Racial Progress in America In 1961 the Kennedy Administration put into effect Executive Order 10925 which ultimately became what is now known as Affirmative Action. The premise of this doctrine authorizes the hiring of minorities in an effort to ensure race and gender equality across the board. This decree is not solely applicable to the workforce; it is also in effect in the admittance of minority students in colleges and universities as well. Although its initial objective to ensure diversity and balance is admirable, it has now become quite controversial considering the need for “quotas” and diversity in lieu of qualified individuals (D’Souza, 1995).
Affirmative Action has become a problematic issue that some consider
a form of reverse discrimination. Affirmative Action, being a law-enforced agenda, may have given minorities better opportunities, but it has also facilitated the hiring of lesser qualified minorities as a replacement for qualified people. So, has substantive progress been made in support of race relations? Yes, but it appears that in order to blend the racial divides one must sacrifice quality for quantity. This Political Correctness does little to sway me in believing that racial equality can be achieved by forcing organizations to hire based on race. Government-mandated racial quotas do not parallel democratic principles; if anything, this involvement, specifically within the private sector, infringes on the free rights of the people of the Unites States.
People, regardless of race and gender, should be considered for employment or college solely on their own merit. Factoring one’s ethnicity into hiring practices is a quiet way of saying, “Hey, even though you’re not quite good enough to really be part of this organization, we’re going to allow you anyway because we have to meet a certain quota.” If I were propositioned with Affirmative Action as a means for employment or education, I would be offended. Affirmative Action recipients can rest on the notion that their race decided their future for them, not their intelligence.
Improving Racial Relations
During the 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made a stand against racism in America. His fortitude in fighting this battle was remarkable, and his legacy will undoubtedly stand the test of time. He assembled numerous demonstrations challenging racism in America; most notably, his “I have a dream” speech given at the infamous March on Washington in August 1963. This speech also included the phrase, “… [King’s children] will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but the content of their character.” Strangely enough, character does not count when confronted with the thought of Affirmative Action; skin color does. The idea that Affirmative Action is still in effect demonstrates America’s fight to undo two generations of flawed social policies. The question posed in this essay is quite simple; is not reverse discrimination still discrimination? Affirmative Action essentially negates 40 years of race-elimination that Dr. King worked so hard to protect. Is it possible to improve race relations further, and achieve a color blind society? Maybe, but the longer Affirmative Action exists, the longer the cycle of discrimination will perpetuate. Are we not substituting one for the other?
Conclusion
Has substantive progress been made in race relations in America? Absolutely, but the reparations given have run their course. This essay attempted to address the questions posted by our facilitator, but, at the same time, enlighten the audience’s awareness of a policy that was introduced to help blend the lines of racial discrimination. Unfortunately, for non-minorities, this policy which was put into place to improve race relations has now tilted the scales in favor of reverse discrimination.
References
D’Souza D. (1995). The end of racism. New York: Free Press.
Racial Progress in America In 1961 the Kennedy Administration put into effect Executive Order 10925 which ultimately became what is now known as Affirmative Action. The premise of this doctrine authorizes the hiring of minorities in an effort to ensure race and gender equality across the board. This decree is not solely applicable to the workforce; it is also in effect in the admittance of minority students in colleges and universities as well. Although its initial objective to ensure diversity and balance is admirable, it has now become quite controversial considering the need for “quotas” and diversity in lieu of qualified individuals (D’Souza, 1995).
Affirmative Action has become a problematic issue that some consider
a form of reverse discrimination. Affirmative Action, being a law-enforced agenda, may have given minorities better opportunities, but it has also facilitated the hiring of lesser qualified minorities as a replacement for qualified people. So, has substantive progress been made in support of race relations? Yes, but it appears that in order to blend the racial divides one must sacrifice quality for quantity. This Political Correctness does little to sway me in believing that racial equality can be achieved by forcing organizations to hire based on race. Government-mandated racial quotas do not parallel democratic principles; if anything, this involvement, specifically within the private sector, infringes on the free rights of the people of the Unites States.
People, regardless of race and gender, should be considered for employment or college solely on their own merit. Factoring one’s ethnicity into hiring practices is a quiet way of saying, “Hey, even though you’re not quite good enough to really be part of this organization, we’re going to allow you anyway because we have to meet a certain quota.” If I were propositioned with Affirmative Action as a means for employment or education, I would be offended. Affirmative Action recipients can rest on the notion that their race decided their future for them, not their intelligence.
Improving Racial Relations
During the 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made a stand against racism in America. His fortitude in fighting this battle was remarkable, and his legacy will undoubtedly stand the test of time. He assembled numerous demonstrations challenging racism in America; most notably, his “I have a dream” speech given at the infamous March on Washington in August 1963. This speech also included the phrase, “… [King’s children] will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but the content of their character.” Strangely enough, character does not count when confronted with the thought of Affirmative Action; skin color does. The idea that Affirmative Action is still in effect demonstrates America’s fight to undo two generations of flawed social policies. The question posed in this essay is quite simple; is not reverse discrimination still discrimination? Affirmative Action essentially negates 40 years of race-elimination that Dr. King worked so hard to protect. Is it possible to improve race relations further, and achieve a color blind society? Maybe, but the longer Affirmative Action exists, the longer the cycle of discrimination will perpetuate. Are we not substituting one for the other?
Conclusion
Has substantive progress been made in race relations in America? Absolutely, but the reparations given have run their course. This essay attempted to address the questions posted by our facilitator, but, at the same time, enlighten the audience’s awareness of a policy that was introduced to help blend the lines of racial discrimination. Unfortunately, for non-minorities, this policy which was put into place to improve race relations has now tilted the scales in favor of reverse discrimination.
References
D’Souza D. (1995). The end of racism. New York: Free Press.