Since President Kennedy first coined the term in 1961, affirmative action has remained one of the most controversial social issues of our time. Aggressive nondiscrimination was the original intention, but it soon became clear that merely promising not to discriminate would have little effect on the deeply seeded racial bias embedded in our society. In turn, legislation was passed to actively ensure fairness among minorities seeking employment. Supporters view affirmative action as a milestone, opponents see it as a millstone, and much of the general public considers it both – a necessary, but imperfect remedy for an obstinate social ill. My own opinion was first formed by my father and influenced by the conservative environment in which I lived. Since then, I have experienced a much broader view of American society. I have heard many different opinions on affirmative action from all aspects of our culture and I have changed my mind. The case against affirmative action rests heavily on myth and misunderstanding and the following illustrates that an absence of affirmative action in today’s society will only reinforce racial injustice.

The effects of affirmative action programs previously documented show important gains in racial and gender equality. A study sponsored by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs showed that between 1974 and 1980, federal contractors (who were required to adopt affirmative action goals) added black and female employees at twice the rate of those not required to strive for equality. Affirmative action has also helped 5 million minority males and 6 million minority and white women move up in the work force, according to the U.S. Labor Department (“Reverse Discrimination”, pA23). While opponents believe affirmative action policies are “wrong, and ought to be opposed” (Clegg, p1), the actions help tremendously to establish a more diverse workforce that resists any further racial discrimination.

Clegg, Roger. Beyond Quotas. Academic Search Premier. Policy Review, May/Jun 1998. Issue 89, p12, 9p, 2bw.

Forman Jr., J. Saving Affirmative Action. Academic Search Premier. Nation, 12/9/91, Vol. 253 Issue 20, p746, 2p

Zuckerman, Mortimer B. Remember the Real Victims. Academic Search Premier. U.S. News & World Report, 6/26/95, Vol.118 Issue 25, p68, 1p, 1c

Besides worrying about an unqualified population of minorities obtaining work over those more skilled, will a large percentage of white workers lose their jobs if affirmative action programs continue? Hardly. According to the Commerce Department, fewer than 2 million black civilians are unemployed while more than 100 million white civilians maintain jobs. Thus, if every single black worker were to replace a white worker, less than 2 percent of whites would be affected, and this of course is an exaggeration and an impossibility; not every black worker would be qualified to replace existing employees so a more realistic figure would be only a fraction of a percent. More American’s lose their jobs due to factory relocation, cheaper employment in poorer countries, and technological advances. Arguments against plans such as these say that minorities and women given preferential treatment are afflicted with lowered self-esteem believing that they were given a job unfairly. This lowered self-confidence could affect a person’s work. This argument is weak and untrue. A recent Gallup pole asked employed blacks and employed white women if they had ever felt that others questioned their abilities because of affirmative action. An astounding 90 percent said they never felt this way, which is understandable because whites who have benefited for countless years because of preferential tre

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