Affirmative action policies aim to ensure equal educational and employment opportunities for minorities and women. They intend to benefit people who had previously suffered from discrimination, such as African Americans, by placing requirements, or quotas, on percentages of races that must be hired or accepted (LaNoue). Employers and schools must consider race or gender when hiring to make sure that both genders and all races have equal opportunities (Hanmer). However, this system is surrounded by controversy considering its constitutionality and relevance in today’s society. The policy of affirmative action is outdated, unjust, and unnecessary to create diversity in America today (Affirmative). The goals of affirmative action involve compensation
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Kennedy in 1961. To end discrimination, he ordered to ¨take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin” (Hanmer). Until then, blacks, minorities, and women received unequal opportunities for employment or education, and government institutions were required to hire without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, or gender (LaNoue). However, they would often disregard applicants who were minorities. Also, a report by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 1960 stated that African Americans had significantly more blue collar jobs and less white collar jobs than did their white counterparts (Hanmer). Initially, affirmative action required government businesses to admit or hire minorities in order to accurately reflect the population (LaNoue). Later, colleges and universities created similar programs of their own by requiring the races of accepted students to mirror the races of the graduating class, thus beginning a quota system (Safra). Soon, they would receive government funds for meeting these quotas …show more content…
However, if they are provided with advantages now, they will grow to expect such privileges and never reach the full potential that is achievable only through hard work (History). Some might even find these privileges demeaning to their natural abilities. Also, because some opportunities are given, not earned, minorities who benefit from affirmative action are viewed as less worthy of the achievements they receive (Affirmative). Affirmative action was designed to remove minorities from unfortunate environments by giving them advantages necessary to improve their situations. However, as it has been in place for over fifty years, recipients of affirmative action should have already received enough advantages to develop a strong foundation (Hanmer). Levelling the playing field in admissions and hiring for all will benefit everyone in the long
Kennedy in 1961. To end discrimination, he ordered to ¨take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin” (Hanmer). Until then, blacks, minorities, and women received unequal opportunities for employment or education, and government institutions were required to hire without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, or gender (LaNoue). However, they would often disregard applicants who were minorities. Also, a report by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 1960 stated that African Americans had significantly more blue collar jobs and less white collar jobs than did their white counterparts (Hanmer). Initially, affirmative action required government businesses to admit or hire minorities in order to accurately reflect the population (LaNoue). Later, colleges and universities created similar programs of their own by requiring the races of accepted students to mirror the races of the graduating class, thus beginning a quota system (Safra). Soon, they would receive government funds for meeting these quotas …show more content…
However, if they are provided with advantages now, they will grow to expect such privileges and never reach the full potential that is achievable only through hard work (History). Some might even find these privileges demeaning to their natural abilities. Also, because some opportunities are given, not earned, minorities who benefit from affirmative action are viewed as less worthy of the achievements they receive (Affirmative). Affirmative action was designed to remove minorities from unfortunate environments by giving them advantages necessary to improve their situations. However, as it has been in place for over fifty years, recipients of affirmative action should have already received enough advantages to develop a strong foundation (Hanmer). Levelling the playing field in admissions and hiring for all will benefit everyone in the long