Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action

A black male and a white male are applying for the same job, they both have the same qualifications and meet all of the needs for the job. A place that uses affirmative action would “choose the minority over the white.” (Froomkin). Affirmative action is a “catchall phrase referring to laws, customs, and social policies intended to alleviate the types of discrimination that limit opportunities to a variety of demographic groups in various social institutions.” (“Affirmative Action: Who Benefits?”). Affirmative action was made so that all people hired for a job were treated without taking their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin into consideration. (Blau, Francine D., Winkler, Anne E.). Affirmative Action was made to repay minorities and women for the injustices they suffered from in the past. Although reverse discrimination was made to help people, many feel that it is taking away their opportunities and giving them to less qualified people.

“Affirmative action has led to higher employment participation rates, increased earnings, and gains in educational attainment for women and minorities.” (Murrell and Jones). Affirmative action has resulted in an increase in “representation” of minorities and women at all levels of employment and in organizations that were, at a time, only for males. (Murrell and Jones). People generally believe that woman and minorities have benefited from affirmative action, even if in the littlest way. (Blau, Francine D., Winkler, Anne E.).

Statistics show that although affirmative action has helped people, women and minorities are still not being treated as equals to white males.

“ In 1990, and Urban Institute study comparing pairs of black and white job applicants with identical credentials found that ‘unequal treatment of black job seekers was entrenched and widespread, contradicting claims that hiring practices today either favor Blacks or are effectively color blind.” (Wilson).

“ In 1992, black men with professional degrees earned 79% of the salaries of white men holding jobs at comparable levels.” ( Murrell and Jones).

“Based on 1992 data, both white females and black males must work about 8 months to earn a salary equal to what white males earn in 6 months. Black females must work 10 months to earn comparable salaries.” ( Murrell and Jones).

Although the difference in the amount of money women and minorities makes compared to white males has decreased, there is still a gap in their salaries when they have the same qualifications.

Affirmative action is indeed approved by many, but there are still many criticisms that it faces. Critics say that “young minorities joining the workforce expect that affirmative action will get them promotions.” (“Affirmative Action: Who Benefits?”). People that say having affirmative action takes away from America’s goal to have a “color-blind society.” (“Affirmative Action: Who Benefits?”). They also “believe that people should be selected for positions based on merit alone.” (“Affirmative Action: Who Benefits?”). The main criticism is that by making affirmative action, it is creating a “reverse discrimination” against white males. (“Affirmative Action: Who Benefits?”)

Those who oppose affirmative action have many different reasons as to why they don’t agree with it, creating a large group of unsatisfied people. Some people don’t acknowledge that there actually is discrimination present at all, therefore, they don’t see a need for affirmative action. Others acknowledge that there is discrimination but feel that “taking active steps to help women and minorities should not be necessary if anti-discrimination laws are doing their job.” (Blau, Francine D., Winkler, Anne E.), People also believe that reverse discrimination is present- excluding white men to allow more opportunities for women and minorities. Some people see that the costs of affirmative action are large, making the policy very controversial and may inevitably threaten it’s effectiveness. (Blau, Francine D., Winkler, Anne E.). To the people that oppose affirmative action, the battle has been fought and won- favoring one group over another is wrong, it “goes against the American grain.” (Froomkin).

“Others view affirmative action positively, though even here there is a disagreement how to implement it.” (Blau, Francine D., Winkler, Anne E.). Defenders of affirmative action say that the “playing field is not level yet.” and “granting modest advantages to minorities and women is more than fair, given hundreds of years of discrimination that benefited whites and men.” (Froomkin). “Diversity is desirable and won’t always occur if left to chance… without affirmative action this diversity is much