Affirmative Action needs to be Changed not Ended Essay

Affirmative action: Should it be mended or ended? Affirmative action is an attempt to correct unequal distribution of benefits (status, income and wealth, power and authority), and burdens associated with ethnic and gender differences. Affirmative action has been promoted by the Federal government since the mid 1960s, when president Lyndon B. Johnson ordered federal contractors to adopt affirmative action plans. (Congress and the Nation, 748). This paper will focus on the relevance of affirmative action in the American society. It is important to acknowledge the truth of affirmative actions main claim: historically, African Americans and women have been victims of discrimination. Theoretically speaking, African Americans enjoy the†¦show more content†¦( Do Racial preferences help, 1 of 2). Debates have been held even at the federal level. The Reagan administration was the first one to challenge federal affirmative action policies (Congress and the nation, 748). The history of the United States has brought forth both good and bad socio-economic relations, just like in any other nation. Pathetic social circumstances during the colonial era for example, encouraged slave trade and from this inhuman practice arose racism. The people of the European descent thought of themselves as superior because of slavery. Blacks were thought to be of very low intelligence level. According to an Anthropological view, people of the African descent were thought to be taxonomically closer to the apes (Statement on Race, 3). This degrading ideology is a major contributant to the rank and status differences that still exist between blacks and whites. So, affirmative action should not be ended as it ensures that people are given equal opportunity to participate in the society. One positive role that affirmative action has played is ensuring diversity in the workplace, schools, plus other institutions to which it is applicable. With the increase of diverse communities and cultures in the United States, diversity has filtered into daily social life. Providing equalShow MoreRelated Its Time to Put and End to Affirmative Action Essay1586 Words   |  7 Pages Affirmative action should be changed or ended altogether In the late Sixties, Martin Luther King Jr. fought hard for equal rights. Before he was assassinated in 1968, he made a speech about his vision of human equality. â€Å"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.† (King) The Sixties were a turning point for racial equality. Because of leaders like King, many blacks and minorityRead MoreAffirmative Action Should Be Changed or Ended All Together1605 Words   |  7 PagesAffirmative action should be changed or ended altogether In the late Sixties, Martin Luther King Jr. fought hard for equal rights. 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