The Most Important Social Issue in America Today

Social issues have plagued the women and minorities of our country for decades upon decades, degrading them as if emotions and morals were not evident amongst them. The article entitled "Affirmative Action" states that as representation of minorities and women became more and more necessary, a movement called "affirmative action" became an important issue. Affirmative action is not limited to the uplifting of certain genders and races, but it focuses on establishing standards of certain ethical codes. Affirmative action concentrates on a broad array of issues including equal opportunity, systematic exclusion, and diversity.

Affirmative action thoroughly emphasizes equal opportunity among discriminated minorities and genders. According to James P. Sterba and Carl Cohen, authors of the book entitled Affirmative Action and Racial Preference, the job of the government is to eradicate all forms of individuous discrimination and to promote a realization of equal opportunity through programs within agencies and departments. The article entitled "American Association for Affirmative Action" states that one important aspect affirmative action dwells upon is redressing all forms of individual and systematic discrimination. These forms include discrimination against race, religion, sex, and age. A plethora of acts and orders such as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Readjustment Act of 1974 were instated to protect minorities, for they tend to be powerful initiatives when longing for an inclusive society. One prominent act is the Civil Rights Act of 1964; this act helped end public discrimination within various industries including hotels, restaurants, and other publicly aided workplaces (Sterba 12). President Clinton, while in office, stated, "It is in the nation's best interest to create a more inclusive society that provides genuine equality of opportunity" ("AAAA" 3). This is exemplary of how equal opportunity establishes its emphasis on discrimination among minorities. Although equal opportunity is an important issue, there are other equally pertinent factors relating to affirmative action.

Systematic exclusion directly relates to affirmative action in a multitude of ways. Affirmative action addresses systematic exclusion of certain individuals based on several different elements including talent, gender or race, all in an attempt to promote each individual to develop, perform and contribute to the best of their ability ("AAAA" 2). This includes abilities in a myriad of fields, including the job market, education, and community. Affirmative action addresses systematic exclusion by opening opportunities to individuals with limited experience and talented backgrounds who have endured constant and persistent discrimination from members of other races and genders ("AAAA" 2). Directly opposite of systematic exclusion is the idea of social utility. This concept says that an increased population of specific minorities or genders would certainly create a balance, resulting in better communities. In addition, members of that minority will be inspired to succeed, for they will see how people of their own race have excelled. One example of social utility is when communities of racial diversity require a diverse police force, for it aids in acquiring trust and dedication of an entire communities populace ("Affirmative Action" 5). Even though equal opportunity and systematic exclusion are, without a doubt, important to the understanding of affirmative action, the most important principle is yet to be discussed.

Diversity within environments is truly the backbone of affirmative action. In general,