Affirmative Action: Its Role in Higher Education

On July 2, 1964 President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act (Brunner). “The Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination of all kinds based on race, color, religion, or national origin (Brunner).” This was the first step in the direction of affirmative action. On June 4, 1965 President Johnson gave a speech in front of Howard Universities graduating class (Brunner). His speech states that the Civil Rights Act alone won’t end discrimination so he “frames the concept of Affirmative action (Brunner).”

“You do not wipe away the scars of centuries by saying: 'now, you are free to go where you want, do as you desire, and choose the leaders you please.' You do not take a man who for years has been hobbled by chains, liberate him, bring him to the starting line of a race, saying, 'you are free to compete with all the others,' and still justly believe you have been completely fair . . . This is the next and more profound stage of the battle for civil rights. We seek not just freedom but opportunity-not just legal equity but human ability-not just equality as a right and a theory, but equality as a fact and as a result.(Brunner)”

The very moment that the Civil Rights Act came into effect and Affirmative Action was defined, it has been one of the most controversial topics. There has been court case after court case determining whether or not race preferences are fair. From the beginning, and still ongoing, Affirmative Action has been and remains a heated discussion, dissected and debated time and time again.

What is Affirmative Action? Affirmative Action is a policy or a program that seeks to redress past discrimination through active measures to insure equal opportunities, as in education and employment (Dictionary.com). Should Affirmative Action, or “race preferences”, be a deciding factor in higher education Admissions? In my research I have found both positive and negative aspects of Affirmative action. In the following pages I plan to address both viewpoints of Affirmative Action and will conclude that the arguments opposing Affirmative Action outweigh those that agree.

Among the many positive viewpoints of Affirmative Action, one of the strongest is how it prepares students for a multicultural environment. Comparing today to ten years ago, one would notice how advanced the United States has become. This new technology brings a broader business spectrum. This means dealing with foreign nations, whether it be them coming to us or us going to them. If the students of today graduate from all “majority” schools they will have no real life experience with other cultures and will find it hard to accept and work with them. Multicultural schools will help to develop better-rounded students. Tien said it best when he said, “No career or profession will be untouched by the rapid socio-demographic change. For instance, consider how America's diversity will affect those is U.S. Colleges and universities. Education students will teach many youngsters born in different countries, Medical students will treat many patients with beliefs and attitudes about medicine that differ from the Western outlook. Students of Engineering and business will work for major corporations, where they will be expected to design, develop, and market products that sell not just to the U.S., but in markets around the world. Law students will represent clients whose experience with the judicial system in their neighborhoods and barrios is distinctive from the way Middle America regards law.” “It is crucial for America to address the issue of how people from diverse backgrounds are going to study, work, and live in the same neighborhoods together in harmony, not strife (Tien).” If the nation isn’t taught at a young age that there are people that are different, different in appearances and beliefs, then how can we expect them as adults to have a broad view of the world? “A broad diversity of backgrounds, values, and viewpoints is an integral part of a stimulating intellectual and cultural environment in which students educate one another. (D'Souza)” Just being able to listen, hang out, and get to know some one of another culture is enlightening and educating. It helps students be more tolerant concerning otherness. “If few black and Hispanic students graduate from top universities and law schools, “It’s a broad social and political concern.” (AAD Project)” Without Affirmative Action Blacks and Hispanics, more then likely, would never make it into the “top universities and law schools”, whether it be because of institutional discrimination or just aspirant students just giving up. You might want to say here that it would be less likely…sounds kinda harsh…maybe something like: Without AA, Black and Hispanics would have a more difficult time getting accepted to “top universities and law schools”, whether