Affirmative Action: An Implication of Inferiority or a Source of Opportunity? Shelby Steele, a Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, begins his work, “Affirmative Action: The Price of Preference,” by explaining that affirmative action policies create a preference for individuals of color and intend to replace the historical exclusion and discrimination that has hurt them. This intention seems like a good-willed and appropriate form of compensation on the part of white individuals and a great achievement of power on the part of black individuals. However, Steele provides several key points to argue otherwise. The main purpose of my paper is to explain these key points of Steele’s argument against affirmative action and
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By not implementing affirmative action, they actually experience more harm than help. Matsuda shows the importance of affirmative action by stating, “Look for the absences. Listen to the silences. Turn the world upside down by standing in solidarity with the bottom […] Affirmative action is about who will save these lives” (29-30). The key point that Matsuda implies is that saving lives of those who are ignored and at the bottom of society because of their race is of ultimate importance. Not having affirmative action will create the negative consequence that lives will fail to be saved through the providing of various opportunities. In terms of utility consequentialism, the overall human welfare and happiness of those marginalized groups will diminish which is a negative consequence. Additionally, in terms of perfectionist consequentialism, the marginalized groups will experience harm if they are not given the opportunity to acquire perfectionist goods, such as knowledge, rationality, and achievement, through the workplace or university. Steele is correct when claiming that affirmative action may provide harm to individuals of color through implied inferiority. However, through various …show more content…
Under affirmative action, colored students are actually chosen on the basis of achievements and ability, not just race. Matsuda explains how the admissions offices strive to look at each student as a whole, such as looking at both their racial identity and merit. This method creates a more diverse and balanced student body and ensures that marginalized groups from all kinds of circumstances are given an opportunity to be fairly included (36). As a member of the admissions committee, Matsuda would want to provide opportunities to a well-rounded individual who has potential and was disadvantaged as a minority. Additionally, diversification of the student population is crucial because discussions should include individuals of all races, cultures, and backgrounds in order to hear a full spectrum of ideas and
By not implementing affirmative action, they actually experience more harm than help. Matsuda shows the importance of affirmative action by stating, “Look for the absences. Listen to the silences. Turn the world upside down by standing in solidarity with the bottom […] Affirmative action is about who will save these lives” (29-30). The key point that Matsuda implies is that saving lives of those who are ignored and at the bottom of society because of their race is of ultimate importance. Not having affirmative action will create the negative consequence that lives will fail to be saved through the providing of various opportunities. In terms of utility consequentialism, the overall human welfare and happiness of those marginalized groups will diminish which is a negative consequence. Additionally, in terms of perfectionist consequentialism, the marginalized groups will experience harm if they are not given the opportunity to acquire perfectionist goods, such as knowledge, rationality, and achievement, through the workplace or university. Steele is correct when claiming that affirmative action may provide harm to individuals of color through implied inferiority. However, through various …show more content…
Under affirmative action, colored students are actually chosen on the basis of achievements and ability, not just race. Matsuda explains how the admissions offices strive to look at each student as a whole, such as looking at both their racial identity and merit. This method creates a more diverse and balanced student body and ensures that marginalized groups from all kinds of circumstances are given an opportunity to be fairly included (36). As a member of the admissions committee, Matsuda would want to provide opportunities to a well-rounded individual who has potential and was disadvantaged as a minority. Additionally, diversification of the student population is crucial because discussions should include individuals of all races, cultures, and backgrounds in order to hear a full spectrum of ideas and