There are multiple variations for defining race. There is one definition, however, that most people confine to which is race being a group of people who have different and similar biological traits. Commonly, race is defined as if it is a term that is solid or concrete, but really it is socially fabricated. In society, race is based on the difference in physical appearance which is determined by the most apparent trait; skin color. Although race is socially constructed, the biological sense that accounts for the physical differences within a person leads society to treat people differently. Therefore, inequality emerges when individuals are not treated with the same amount of respect and not given the chance to express their rights freely.
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In result of the 1960's Civil Rights Movement, affirmative action policies were intended to provide equal opportunities for members of minority groups and women in education and employment. In 1961, President Kennedy introduced the term "affirmative action" in an Executive Order that directed government contractors to take “affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin.” Affirmative action policies focus is on employment and education. In institutions of higher education, affirmative action benefits groups that have been underrepresented, such as women and minorities, with admission policies that provide them with equal access to education. The constitutionality of affirmative action programs caused controversy making it the topic one of heated debate. Specifically, the use of race as a factor in the college admissions process continues to be a hotly debated …show more content…
Other people, however, believe the policy is outdated and causes a form of reverse discrimination by favoring one group over another based on whether a group was underrepresented rather than their academic achievement. Because there is no correlation between skin color and intelligence, affirmative action programs are unnecessary. Moreover, affirmative action policies are patronizing towards the underrepresented groups since it is implied that they need affirmative action to be successful in higher education. It is understandable why the opposition believes that reverse discrimination is being put in action because non-minorities are not able to benefit from affirmative action policies making it unfair for them to have a greater education. Also, this act of discrimination can be unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Likewise, the programs can go against the law of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin by recipients of federal financial assistance. Which is, in the case, non-minorities being discriminated against because they are not classified as a minority or ever underrepresented. Many opponents believe that diversity in higher education is extremely
In result of the 1960's Civil Rights Movement, affirmative action policies were intended to provide equal opportunities for members of minority groups and women in education and employment. In 1961, President Kennedy introduced the term "affirmative action" in an Executive Order that directed government contractors to take “affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin.” Affirmative action policies focus is on employment and education. In institutions of higher education, affirmative action benefits groups that have been underrepresented, such as women and minorities, with admission policies that provide them with equal access to education. The constitutionality of affirmative action programs caused controversy making it the topic one of heated debate. Specifically, the use of race as a factor in the college admissions process continues to be a hotly debated …show more content…
Other people, however, believe the policy is outdated and causes a form of reverse discrimination by favoring one group over another based on whether a group was underrepresented rather than their academic achievement. Because there is no correlation between skin color and intelligence, affirmative action programs are unnecessary. Moreover, affirmative action policies are patronizing towards the underrepresented groups since it is implied that they need affirmative action to be successful in higher education. It is understandable why the opposition believes that reverse discrimination is being put in action because non-minorities are not able to benefit from affirmative action policies making it unfair for them to have a greater education. Also, this act of discrimination can be unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Likewise, the programs can go against the law of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin by recipients of federal financial assistance. Which is, in the case, non-minorities being discriminated against because they are not classified as a minority or ever underrepresented. Many opponents believe that diversity in higher education is extremely