The Most Important Social Issue in America Today

Social issues have plagued the women and minorities of our country for decades upon decades, degrading them as if emotions and morals were not evident amongst them. The article entitled "Affirmative Action" states that as representation of minorities and women became more and more necessary, a movement called "affirmative action" became an important issue. Affirmative action is not limited to the uplifting of certain genders and races, but it focuses on establishing standards of certain ethical codes. Affirmative action concentrates on a broad array of issues including equal opportunity, systematic exclusion, and diversity. Affirmative action thoroughly emphasizes equal opportunity among discriminated minorities and genders. According to James P. Sterba and Carl Cohen, authors of the book entitled Affirmative Action and Racial Preference, the job of the government is to eradicate all forms of individuous discrimination and to promote a realization of equal opportunity through programs within agencies and departments. The article entitled "American Association for Affirmative Action" states that one important aspect affirmative action dwells upon is redressing all forms of individual and systematic discrimination. These forms include discrimination against race, religion, sex, and age. A plethora of acts and orders such as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Readjustment Act of 1974 were instated to protect minorities, for they tend to be powerful initiatives when longing for an inclusive society. One prominent act is the Civil Rights Act of 1964; this act helped end public discrimination within various industries including hotels, restaurants, and other publicly aided workplaces (Sterba 12). President Clinton, while in office, stated, "It is in the nation 's best interest to create a more inclusive society that provides genuine equality of opportunity" ("AAAA" 3). This is exemplary of how equal opportunity establishes its emphasis on

Cited: American Association for Affirmative Action. 2005. 27 Sept. 2005. Cahn, Steven M., ed. The Affirmative Action Debate. Great Britain: Routledge, 2002. Standford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2005. 28 Sept. 2005 Sterby, James P., Cohen, Carl. Affirmative Action and Racial Preference. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.