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For individuals to understand how affirmative action is either beneficial or detrimental to society, they must be aware of how it is defined. A general definition of this guiding principle of diversity is, " any effort taken to fully integrate our society by expanding educational, employment, and contracting opportunities to the multitude of gender, ethnic, national origin, and handicapped-condition groups that have been and remain locked out of full economic, social, and/or political participation in our country." (Grapes 9) In layman's terms, it tries to give everyone a fair chance, regardless of his or her background and status. Even as many individuals maintain that affirmative action is traceable back to the Civil War, the civil rights movement pushed affirmative action into the American media and governmental issues beginning in the 1950's. While Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson were the first to actually implement such procedures, President Abraham Lincoln started the earliest version of affirmative action by enacting the Emancipation Proclamation. This edict initiated the freedom that African-Americans deserved. Women, at this time, were deemed second-class citizens as well. Throughout the fight for individual liberties, women would receive their fundamental rights at about the same time African-Americans did.
To identify with the concept of affirmative action, a person may refer back to the era of slavery. Slavery, which had been in use for hundreds of years, was an accepted practice of the white majority. While at the same time, women were treated almost as poorly as African-Americans. The Dred Scott decision of 1857 by the United States Supreme Court even allowed slaves to be classified as "private property." Women's Suffrage was put aside and wealthy white landowners dictated societal standards. Eventually, the Thirteenth (the outlaw of slavery and servitude), Fourteenth (provide due process and equal protection under the law), Fifteenth (prohibits denial of voting rights because of race), and Nineteenth (prohibits denial of voting rights because of gender) Amendments effectively abolished these practices.
Affirmative action is a question of morals. Affirmative action is a growing argument among our society. ... Is affirmative action fair? ... Well if that is a reason for affirmative action why not make it to where all children, regardless of race, who are in the poorer communities reap the benefits of affirmative action. ... Affirmative action should definitely be looked into with greater depth. ...
This compromise can also be known as a form of Affirmative Action. ... (Franz ) Even today, many states still use some shape or form of affirmative action, but affirmative action is becoming less and less popular among colleges across the nation. ... (Froomkin C6) In support of affirmative action, many people have organized groups to support their cause- keeping Affirmative Action. ... CEO, the Center for Equal Opportunity, another group that strongly supports affirmative action, takes radical views on Affirmative Action and the abilities of minorities. ... In affirmative action, it does...
The battle against affirmative action has gone so far as to halting affirmative action in places such as Missouri, and even drastically ending affirmative action in California. ... Affirmative action was organized with good intentions, however quickly many groups organized to protest affirmative action. Despite affirmative actions greatness there are intense debates. Affirmative action was ended by the foe of affirmative action, Ward Connerly. ... It is believed by the foes of affirmative action that affirmative action allowed unqualified minorities admission into the best Universities in...
It's Time To Redefine Affirmative Action Presidents and citizens of the United States have debated affirmative action for the past forty years. ... Affirmative action has infiltrated our society and in some way influences everyone. ... Bill Clinton has no doubt affirmative action has worked, but since there is still discrimination there should still be affirmative action (7). ... Affirmative action is reverse discrimination against whites. ... Affirmative action has worn out its welcome in many communities. ...
Affirmative action supporters make one large assumption when defending the policy. ... But, that is exactly what affirmative action does. ... These stunning facts shows just how many competent, if not gifted students fall between the cracks as a direct result of affirmative action (Affirmative action). ... Works Cited "Affirmative Action at the University of California at Berkeley" Online. ... Affirmative Action in the 1980's: Dismantling the Process of Discrimination. ...
Affirmative Action Animosity Affirmative action is the U.S. program set forth in the early 1970's to correct the effects of past discrimination by giving preferential treatment to women and ethnic minorities in the workplace. At the time of affirmative action's induction to society, proponents of affirmative action programs felt that the only way to increase the number of minorities in the workplace was to establish a system of quotas to be maintained by law. ... Affirmative action has created numerous opportunities for women and minorities in this country. ... Affirmative action mus...
Affirmative Action Affirmative Action efforts were started in 1964 to end the long history of overlooking qualified people of color and women from higher education. ... However, Affirmative action is highly controversial. ... The law will start slowly first, ending Affirmative Action in the schools of California, leading up to the abolishment of Affirmative Action all together. ... Abolishing Affirmative Action is not the answer. ... Affirmative Action gave Ellis a chance he would not have gotten if Affirmative Action did not exist. ...
The Pitfalls of Affirmative Action "I want to be the minority. ... The roots of affirmative action can be traced to the mid--nineteenth century. ... In addition, affirmative action often rewards minority individuals as an indirect consequence of affirmative action. ... As a result, affirmative action may provide a sense of self- doubt, rejection, and inferiority among racial and gender specific minorities, who benefit as a result of affirmative action. ... Affirmative action has always been an aberration from our lost principles. ...
