The Pros And Cons Of Affirmative Action

President Lyndon Johnson said, "You do not take a person who, for years, has been hobbled by chains and liberate him, bring him up to the starting line of a race and then say you are free to compete with all the others, and still just believe you have been completely fair". Johnson’s quote depicts the potentials of affirmative action such as bringing equality to education and employment. Before affirmative action, Africans, Hispanics, and women were segregated into low wage jobs which sparked outrage. The 1960s Civil Rights movement was a main cause to the birth of affirmative action. The goals of the policy were to provide equal opportunities to minority groups such as women, Hispanics, and other minority ethnic groups. As a result, in 1961, President Kennedy issued Executive Order 10925 to “ensure applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, without …show more content…
Later in 1965, President Johnson signed Executive Order 11246 to increase the numbers of minority employees and students. First, there are those who feel affirmative action helps the less fortunate and have a strong stance on keeping the policy. Second, there are those who are adamant on wanting a colorless society and put an end to discrimination. Third, there are those who can see both sides to the issue and want to change the policy to benefit both parties. Even though affirmative action was created to help minority groups, modern day affirmative action has taken a turn and is negatively affecting both communities. Since President Johnson coined up the term “affirmative action”, the policy has been a roller coaster ride for controversy because of the opposing views on whether the policy should be eliminated. However, minorities who are benefitting from affirmative action would say the policy should stay when majority groups want the policy