XzjhaMyra Stevens

Professor Vargas-Ortiz

English 1301

5 November 2017

Is Affirmative Action Discriminative or Necessary?

Affirmative action was issued in 1961, by President John F. Kennedy as a means of eliminating

racial bias when it came to employment or educational practices. Affirmative action is a policy

in which, an institution or organization actively engages in efforts to improve opportunities for

historically excluded groups in American society. Affirmative action policies often focus on

employment and education. In institutions of higher education, affirmative action refers to

admission policies that provide equal access to those who have been historically excluded or

underrepresented, such as women or minorities. (Hultin, B.B., 2014). Because this act was

placed shortly after the Civil Rights movement, the minority was left with nothing due to the

limitation of their rights. It was not until these rights were accustomed to them, that minorities

and women were given an equal opportunity to be employed, (some minorities favored more

than Caucasians). This caused Caucasians and men to feel discriminated against and provoked

the want for equality. Discrimination amongst White Americans is referred to as reverse

racism since it is believed to be the same discrimination that minorities have faced in an

opposite direction.

The rate of poverty has continued to increase since the Great Recession in 2008. Many

individuals found themselves falling below the poverty line and never escaping it (Stevens,
2017); most of these being people of color. The purpose of affirmative action is to provide

opportunities for minorities and poor families to rise above the poverty line with access to

better paying jobs and affordable education. This is most commonly done by granting

educational admissions, which lead to well-paying jobs. Colleges and universities developed a

colorblind method, to assist in the selection process for financially unstable candidates to

attend their school without racial bias. The colleges would then encourage struggling students

to apply so that they are offered financial aid and on-campus support programs. This has

resulted in an increase of diversity within schools and graduates have reported that they have

acquired better jobs that increased their incomes, and influenced a better life style. It is also

said that beneficiaries of affirmative action have increased SAT scores by an additional 150 to

310 points than the average score.

Affirmative action works as an opportunity for minorities to become successful or

escape poverty. Todays society has seen an increase in the cost of food and other consumer

products that are necessary for survival. American history has been kind to the Caucasian race.

Historically whites have been afforded better opportunities to succeed than most other

ethnicities. Throughout world history Americans in general have been thought to have a

coveted lifestyle. As a result, countless immigrants are put under the assumption that they lack

the skills to ever become successful or escape poverty because of their cultural beliefs and

practices. The most common minority groups that require citizenship into the United States are

majority Hispanics and those who have fled their country for asylum. These people often find it

nearly impossible to obtain citizenship, which could promote a more comfortable lifestyle. In

addition to facing constant stereotypes and discrimination from other ethnic groups, the legal
immigration process can be costly and slow. For many this process can take years to

accomplish. The citizenship process consists of long lines and lacks interpreters, making

communication with government officials difficult. At times, more documentation is required of

immigrants. Because these documents are not necessary in their native countries they may be

difficult to obtain. Those who have been fortunate enough to receive citizenship, are required

to learn the English language in order to receive a job which can be another added expense. For

many this is the epitome of discrimination.

Affirmative action is not favored among most Americans. They argue that affirmative

action is discriminatory against all those who are unqualified to receive the assistance. Some

believe affirmative action is in violation of the fourteenth amendment of the Constitution.

However, I feel that the idea of affirmative action is fair since all citizens are not currently or

historically afforded the same opportunities to succeed. Reverse racism seems like a fictional

term. There is only racism. That is, discrimination against any type of ethnicity and any form of

discrimination is wrong. In all actuality, there is only one race: the human race. The oppositions

argument about affirmative action violating the rights of the Constitution is correct, but not in

their favor. This only proves my point about immigrants who have nothing, risking everything

just to be able to get a job and live under comfortable circumstances (Staff, 2009). What many

fail to realize is that affirmative action was created to give everyone an equal opportunity to

achieve the same goals. To offer a clearer picture of how affirmative action works and why it is

needed imagine two children in a race. One child is allotted a 5-yard head start. The child with

the head start will surely win the race. But if both children start from the exact same point, the

second child is given a fair chance to win. Affirmative action grants the second child a fair
chance. Affirmative action does not promise equality, but ensures that all involved are given a

chance to utilize their skills to complete the race. Affirmative action made sure the race was

possible or reasonable for both children. So, it is not that affirmative action is based on

equality, but it ensures equality.

The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the

basis of race. (Strauss, 2014). Everyone should be given an equal opportunity to live life

regardless of skin tone or gender. Based on research, the abolishment of affirmative action

would only cause further arguments and opposition because only wealthy, white Americans

would be afforded opportunities of success. In order to keep affirmative action going and to

appease both wealthy and poor American citizens; colleges, universities, and institutions of

employment should not question what ethnicity or the origin in which their candidates arrive

from. This will further emphasize their colorblind selection process. That way, college

admissions and employers will literally be blind to candidate skin complexions or genders;

eliminating racial and gender bias.

Affirmative action is very much needed for maintaining fairness within the country. As

people, we all must learn to live with each other respectfully before we can discuss the issues

of fairness. We must also learn to avoid setting limitations on certain ethnicities to make one

race superior over another and base the winnings of lifes accomplishments and successes on

skill. It is only then, that our country will heal from its tragic history. Acquiring these abilities will

also aid in resolving countless other race and gender related issues our country faces today.
 Reference Page

Hultin, B. B. (n.d.). Retrieved November 05, 2017, from

http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/affirmative-action-overview.aspx