Affirmative Action By Aliyah Walls What is Affirmative
Affirmative Action By: Aliyah Walls
What is Affirmative Action? • Affirmative action is a federal agenda initiated in the 1960 s that’s designed to counteract historic discrimination faced by ethnic minorities, women and other underrepresented groups. • To foster diversity and compensate for the ways such groups have historically been excluded, institutions with affirmative action programs prioritize the inclusion of minority groups in the employment, education and government sectors, among others. (What is) • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=h. Cl. FP 3 Gj 2 w 8
History • Introduced by President Kennedy in 1961 to fight discrimination in spite of the civil rights laws. • President Johnson further developed the law saying, “This is the next and more profound stage of the battle for civil rights. ” • Affirmative Action was seen as a temporary remedy focusing on education and jobs • http: //www. infoplease. com/spot/affirmativetim eline 1. html
Debate Pros Cons • Students and workers who start at a disadvantage get a boost to succeed. • Affirmative action creates diversity. • Special preference is given to minorities to make up for years of discrimination. • Affirmative action is needed to break stereotypes. • (Affirmative Action) • It may be demeaning to minorities to say that they need affirmative action to succeed. • A society cannot be truly colorblind until they stop making decisions based on race. • Affirmative action may create reverse discrimination. • Because of affirmative action, a minority may beat out someone more capable for a job or school, simply because of race or gender. • (Affirmative Action)
Problem • Mis-education and subliminal racism are two key factors which drive the myth that affirmative action is no longer necessary. • As it relates, in a perfect world scenario the “best qualified” candidate would always prevail. • Unfortunately more often than not, that candidate is rarely African-American.
Problem Cont. • This is largely in part, because of the scientific fact that people tend to gravitate towards what is most familiar to them (neighborhood, parish, schools, and clubs). • Although we’ve made great strides since the 60’s, most of America is still racially polarized and divided on the tough issues. • Consider the fact, that many times in industry and education, a diverse census is virtually a non-factor; creating an environment ripe for institutionalized racism.
New Policy • Making education accessible and affordable for the poor and lower middle class • Creating policy which includes diversity as a factor when hiring the “best qualified” applicants. • Also creating a mentoring program in your organization, which frequently pairs ethical members of the majority with minority members. • Creating accountability through organizational questionnaires, critiques, 360’s, and informal polls.
Work Cited "Affirmative Action Pros and Cons. " Do Something. N. p. , n. d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. "What Is Affirmative Action? " About. com Race Relations. N. p. , n. d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.
- Slides: 9