Essay on History and Opinions on the Policy of Affirmative...

Racism is a problem that is older than the country we live in. Since the beginning of time racism, prejudice, and discrimination has existed. Through the years, society has come a long way in dealing with this everlasting problem; however, the problem still lives in todays world. It affects who we are and where we will go in our life. So if racism can so dramatically alter our life, one might question what can be done to cease this unfair practice? One solution, or rather method to equal out the past inequalities African American and other minorities, is Affirmative Action. The basic goal of these policies is to increase opportunities for minorities in the United States job market and educational system. Yet one might also question if†¦show more content†¦Title VI barred the use of federal funds in schools that practiced segregation. The act also prohibited employment discrimination by large employers, not just government contractors. President Johnson knew however that g overnment acts alone could not change societys view. In a famous speech to the graduating class of 1965 at Howard University, President Johnson said, You do not wipe away the scars of centuries by saying,`now, you are free to go where you want to, do as you desire, and choose the leaders you please. You do not take a man who has for years been hobbled by chains, liberate him, bring him to the starting line of a race, saying,` you are free to compete with all the others, and still justly believe you have been completely fair...This is the next and more profound stage of the battle for civil rights. We seek not just freedom but opportunity- not just legal equality but human ability- not just equality as a right and a theory, but equality as a fact and as a result. The road to equality, as Johnson expected, would not be an easy one. Although many laws were being passed to prevent discrimination, racism still thrived throughout the 1960s and 70s, leaving its reminisce in the form of human blood. Early in 1965, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act. Los Angeles busted into a violent scene, leaving 34 dead. The next year was even more violent as African Americans fought with the majority whiteShow MoreRelatedAffirmative Action : Discrimination Against Minorities1513 Words   |  7 PagesOthmane Ezzabdi AP Seminar Affirmative Action Affirmative action has been apart of the work environment in America since the 1960s until present time. Its main goal has been to suppress the discrimination against minorities and to give them a fighting chance to succeed in achieving their goal of living the American dream all in an act to counter the inexcusable racism and discrimination that has been inhumanely placed on to the minorities over a century ago in the United States; it will ultimatelyRead MoreAffirmative Action And The Civil Rights Act973 Words   |  4 PagesDiscrimination and segregation have been inbred into America’s history from day one. Therefore, there have been many laws and bills passed to break down barriers between privileged whites and unfortunate minorities. Among these government actions are the 14th Amendment, Equal Pay Act, and the Civil Rights Acts. John F. Kennedy perhaps created one of the most heavily debated policies today, his Affirmative Action Policy. 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As many praised the Prime Minister for his decision, an equal number (while not questioning the qualifications or merit of those woman appointed to power) were asking the question: â€Å"Is an affirmative action cabinet truly a meaningful (and effective) way to right the wrongs of the past and recognize the importance and significance of women in Canadian society?† Those who ask questions similar to the one above share the common view that the way inRead MoreAffirmative Action For African Americans1478 Words   |  6 PagesOliveira 1 Lucas Oliveira Ms. Alonso English 8 Honors 7 March 2015 Affirmative Action Have you ever wondered why all companies have employees of all races? Affirmative Action sought to give African Americans workers and minorities equal access to education and employment which was previously denied to them. It makes companies and schools give equal access to minorities. Affirmative Action is a topic that has been in government officials minds for a long time. Between 1870-1900, many African AmericansRead MoreEssay Affirmative Action1163 Words   |  5 PagesAffirmative action works. When these policies received government support, vast numbers of people of color, white women and men have gained access they would not otherwise have had. These gains have led to very real changes. Affirmative action programs have not eliminated racism, nor have they always been implemented without problems. However, there would be no struggle to roll back the gains achieved if affirmative action policies were ineffective. The implementation of affirmative actionRead MoreAffirmative Action Is Not Based On Reason Or Actual Experience1584 Words   |  7 PagesPreconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. In 1961 President Kennedy introduced the concept affirmative action extensively across the United States. Affirmative action is discriminating in favor of racial minorities in admissions, hiring, tenure, contracting, and financial aid. When two people are equally qualified for a job or admission opportunity is it acceptable to make the choice based on race, sex, or ethnicity? It is widely known that affirmative action is admissibleRead MoreRace and The Affirmative Action Policies1244 Words   |  5 PagesThe utilization of race in affirmative action policies in higher education has been a topic of contention for several decades now. Since the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we have seen some of the most heated debates over the fairness of affirmative action and the impacts on society the utilization of race creates. With such pending questions on fairness and of the constitutionality of affirmative action policies two major Supreme Court cases have arisen, University of C alifornia RegentsRead MoreSummary : Rough Draft And Affirmative Action Program1575 Words   |  7 PagesJarron Jones 4-11-15 Moral Problems Rough Draft Affirmative Action In 2003, the Supreme Court issued its ruling on a case challenging the University of Michigan’s undergraduate affirmative action program, ultimately declaring the scheme unconstitutional. The admission scheme was based generally on a 150 point scale system in which the Office of Admission assigned points based on a number of factors, including high school grades, standardized test scores, high school quality, alumni strength, and