In this world of discrimination, Affirmative Action was created to promote access to education and employment among socially non-dominant groups, such as minorities and women. The purpose of this policy is to stop discrimination and to give minorities more representation in many public institutions. The two sides of the issue are often in a heated battle to deteremine who is "right" about the topic.
Opponents of the issue believe that it is just another form of discrimination. They say for affirmative action to work it must use the very discrimination that it is trying to eliminate. Often times, qualified applicants are denied entry into various educational institutions or are rejected from some form of employment because they are from the socially dominant groups, whites and males. Opponents believe that by accepting less qualified students into certain educational programs will cause higher drop out rates among minority students.They also feel as though, because of the policy, minorities groups are given an advantage into getting in universities and the workplace while whites and males are looked over. Many people feel as though qualified people are missing out of great opportunities just because these institutions are trying to fill their "quotas" of minorities.
Proponents of affirmative action believe that it decreases discrimination among minority groups while also increasing diversity in various public institutions. People in favor of affirmative action believe that it also increases the numbers of women and minority groups in all levels of employment even those that used to be exclusively male. They think that affirmative action has also led to increased earnings and more gains in educational attainment of women and minorities. Overall, people for affirmative action believe that it improves the opportunities for women and all minority groups to have better representation and better job positions.
Both sides of the issue of affirmative action have valid arguments and show the pros and cons of each side. So I ask you, the reader, what side of affirmative action are you on?
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2 comments:
This is a good post, and you did a great job on giving the background of the issue then sowing both arguments without bias. I liked that you asked the question at the end, it truly caused me to think about what I believe. One thing I didn't understand though was when you said opponents think affirmative action causes higher drop out rates among minorities. This seems like it may be another issue, or maybe just clarify more what you mean by that. Other than that very well done.
Good job talking about the issue and not about your own side. Affirmative Action is a very hard subject, good job presenting both sides
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