...Affirmative Action or Affirmative Discrimination Affirmative action refers to an attempt at equality in the society. It claims that each person receive equal opportunities in the classroom as well as the work force. Not only would this would be subjected to minorities but to women as well. Every sector in America should be equal and unprejudiced - or so proponents say. However, adopting affirmative action would force many employers to replace hard-working employees with those less qualified simply as a consequence of their gender or ethnic background (Sterba, 2003). We can analyze this concept from the perspective of two opponents as “Arguments for ‘Affirmative Action is Reverse Discrimination’” and “Arguments against ‘Affirmative Action is Reverse Discrimination’”. First of all, with reference to “Arguments for ‘Affirmative Action is Reverse Discrimination’”, the fact of affirmative action is that it attempts to end discrimination with discrimination, that is, reverse discrimination. The purpose of affirmative action is to correct the past discrimination based on race, sex, religion, etc. But the way that affirmative action taken to achieve this is to sacrifice the rights of others, which leads to reverse discrimination: as we are all members of some minority or majority groups, helping one group would certainly disadvantage others. For example, in USA, under affirmative action, a company might prefer to hire the minority like women or colored people instead of white...
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..."Affirmative Action" was initiated in the early 1960's by President John F. Kennedy in an attempt to improve employment and educational opportunities for people belonging to a minority population ("Affirmative Action"). After the assassination of JFK, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. This act started a wave of affirmative action that would later impact every American opportunity ("Civil Rights Act"). At the end of the decade businesses across America were enforcing provisions set forth by the Civil Rights Act, along with other legal enforcements that assisted minority groups of race, disability, gender, ethnicity and age. Though he was against the idea of meeting quotas in the workplace, President Richard Nixon in 1969 used the city of Philadelphia as a test when he "required federal contractors to show "affirmative action" to meet the goals of increasing minority employment" (Brunner). The quotas also found a way into the federally funded educational institutions as by this time numerous regulations had been initiated insisting the entrance of minority group members (Eisaguirre 2). While there were many supporters of affirmative action who saw this as the only way to change the historically discriminative American society, many others saw a trend of reverse discrimination in the nation (Eisaguirre 3). Although I believe that the plan of affirmative action has been beneficial to attain equal rights in our society, I don't think that these ideas can...
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...“Affirmative action is an effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). It was the way of bringing to an end the discrimination that occurred by individuals of a certain group and allows them to purse educational and employment opportunities. There is a question of rather affirmative action is still necessary or rather it has run its course. The answer to that question can be found by taking a look into the history of affirmative action while showing the pro and cons of it. Affirmative action is still necessary in American in order to ensure fair representation and opportunities to American’s diverse minority individuals within universities and workplace. The original intention of affirmative action was to form equivalent chances for individuals who had been treated with discrimination in an earlier period. “Elements of an affirmative action plan include a written policy self evaluation to identify efficiencies, steps to correct them on a time table and accountability by senior management.” (Britannica) Affirmative action is frequently established in administration, instructive, and employment situation with the intention of making certain that minorities are incorporated in each opportunity available. The core reason behind affirmative action is to give assistance in reimbursing for the earlier periods of discrimination and concentrate on current discrimination. In earlier periods...
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...Affirmative Action Jackie Carter COM/220 May 18, 2011 Staci Weaver CheckPoint - Introduction and Conclusion Are affirmative action policies and programs still necessary in this day and age, even if it creates reverse discrimination? One of the country’s top debated issues is affirmative action. Affirmative Action came about when President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 10925 that created the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity whose purpose was to ensure all employees are treated fairly, without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin (Elliott & Ewoh, 2000). Since its inception, Affirmative Action program and policies have taken on a life of their own. Affirmative action is a term that refers to mandatory and voluntary programs intended to affirm the civil rights of designated classes of individuals. Affirmative action or Executive Order 11246 (EO11246) was created, after the civil rights movement, by the federal courts to ensure companies were not using discriminatory hiring practices. Affirmative action is similar but different from equal opportunity. Equal opportunity is an attempt to avoid discrimination by applying the performance related criteria to all applicants, in other words, each individual should be given the same treatment as all other individuals. Unequal treatment of minority groups is considered discriminatory and illegal. This process ignores the past history of discrimination of an employer and also...
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...The policy of affirmative action should be abolished in the Unites States as this practice is not making good to US society on its policy against discrimination. It is in effect violating what it is supposed to protect and could lead to other worse consequences like creating crippling effect upon minority groups because of its obvious message of inferiority , reverse racism , lowering standards of accountability hence rewarding race instead of hard work , showing that the people hired through affirmative action can lead to unqualified workers , leading to create a true `color blind` society , condescending to minorities about their need for affirmative action , demeaning the achievement of minorities , by attributing their success due to affirmative action and not hard work . Affirmative action has a crippling effect upon minority groups because of its obvious message of inferiority. Affirmative action assumes that minority groups are of inferiority quality and hence they should be taken care of and they should not be allowed to compete in the market place. It is actually unfair to these minorities because it has actually described them as being unable to fend for themselves within the business /work environment. Not only that it is demeaning to minorities but it also unfair to white males that rely on their skill rather then their color . Therefore, further sustaining the policy is simply an act lack of common sense and realization on how it is to live in free economy...
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...“Affirmative action” means positive steps taken to increase the representation of women and minorities in areas of employment, education, and business from which they have been historically excluded. When those steps involve preferential selection—selection on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity—affirmative action generates intense controversy. Definition of Diversity The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual. Back to Diversity Initiatives Home Page Pros to Affirmative action: The Pro-Affirmative Action Side: It is a Fair and Necessary Program Proponents of Affirmative Action say that it is necessary to ensure that minorities have a fair opportunity in employment and education. The American Civil Liberties Union Briefing Paper #17 lists a number of reasons why Affirmative Action remains vital; among the statistics shared: Read more at Suite101: The Pros and Cons of Affirmative...
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...1. Affirmative Action in the U.S. was designed to counteract the lingering effects of generations of past discrimination as an effort to improve the employment and educational opportunities of women and members of minority groups through preferential treatment in job hiring, college admissions, the awarding of government contracts, and the allocation of other social benefits. Race, sex, ethnic origin, religion, disability, and age are the main criteria for inclusion in affirmative action programs. Affirmative action was initially embark at the federal level following the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 1978, 1995 and 1996, the U.S. Supreme Court placed limitations on affirmative action programs as various rulings imposed further restrictions. In 1996, Proposition 209 in California prohibited government agencies and institutions from upholding affirmative action as race could not be the preeminent factor. (Affirmative Action, 2013) 2. Reverse discrimination is the unfair treatment of members of majority groups resulting from preferential policies, as in college admissions or employment, intended to remedy earlier discrimination against minorities. (Reverse Discrimination, 2013) 3. Comparable Worth is the concept that women and men should receive equal pay for jobs calling for comparable skill and responsibility. The first knows use of comparable worth was in 1983. (Comparable Worth, 2013) 4. I feel that the Affirmative Action concept is an appropriate form of remedy...
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...Affirmative Action in the U.S. was designed to counteract the lingering effects of generations of past discrimination as an effort to improve the employment and educational opportunities of women and members of minority groups through preferential treatment in job hiring, college admissions, the awarding of government contracts, and the allocation of other social benefits. Race, sex, ethnic origin, religion, disability, and age are the main criteria for inclusion in affirmative action programs. Affirmative action was initially embark at the federal level following the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 1978, 1995 and 1996, the U.S. Supreme Court placed limitations on affirmative action programs as various rulings imposed further restrictions. In 1996, Proposition 209 in California prohibited government agencies and institutions from upholding affirmative action as race could not be the preeminent factor. (Affirmative Action, 2013) 2. Reverse discrimination is the unfair treatment of members of majority groups resulting from preferential policies, as in college admissions or employment, intended to remedy earlier discrimination against minorities. (Reverse Discrimination, 2013) 3. Comparable Worth is the concept that women and men should receive equal pay for jobs calling for comparable skill and responsibility. The first knows use of comparable worth was in 1983. (Comparable Worth, 2013) 4. I feel that the Affirmative Action concept is an appropriate form of remedy in the workplace...
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...Affirmative Action By Holly R. Allen 5.29.2010 HRM/240 “Affirmative action” means positive steps taken to increase the representation of women and minorities in areas of employment, education, and business from which they have been historically excluded. When those steps involve preferential selection—selection on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity—affirmative action generates intense controversy. In 1972, affirmative action became an inflammatory public issue. True enough, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 already had made something called “affirmative action” a remedy federal courts could impose on violators of the Act. Likewise, after 1965 federal contractors had been subject to President Lyndon Johnson's Executive Order 11246, requiring them to take “affirmative action” to make sure they were not discriminating. Your company should hire people based on talent, experience, skill level for the job they are applying for. Your hiring shouldn’t be based on if the man or woman is black, white, mexican, asian or some other race or ethinicity. A person should be able to go apply for a job and not have to worry if they are being discriminated against. If they have all the training and experience to do the job correctly and you say, no we cant hire you at this time and you don’t give them a good answer of why they werent considered for the job, this can cause a load of problems and could even lead to lawsuits. If a minority...
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...Zith Business Ethics – Module 6 The affirmative action debate has been growing since the 1960’s when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Affirmative action plan can be defined as plan that outlines the hiring and development policies such as recruitment, training, promotion and evaluations for employees belonging to for the minority or the protected groups within the organization. On the staffing plan highlights the hiring and selection policies for all the employees across the organization without any exceptions. The ethical dilemma faced by organizations who opt for affirmative action plan, is that, they might face possibility that a person belonging to the minority maybe unjustifiably benefitted even though the does not deserve it in actual fact. On the other hand people belonging to the typical category might find this distinction unfair and this might become a major demotivating factor for them having a negative impact on their overall satisfaction levels. Therefore it is evident though the basis and logic of framing an affirmative action plan is sound, but the organization has to be extremely careful during its implementation and administration to avoid feelings of discomfort and dissatisfaction among its employees. In 1972 The Equal Employment Opportunity Act was implemented. This applies to all employers, both public and private, with fifteen or more employees; it prohibits all forms of discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion...
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...Counter arguments, Disproving other side, Con affirmative action Affirmative Action has been a long debated issue in United States. One group believes affirmative action should be abolished and other group thinks it serves an essential purpose. Our group believes Affirmative Action is fair and we still need it to eliminate discrimination and establish inequality to make our country is a better place. The continued use of affirmative action is still needed to address our existing discrimination and to break down all the barriers to make sure each individual have an equal opportunity so that they can prove themselves in the society as per their talents and abilities. Compare to other countries United States have made significant progress in recent years in creating equal access to opportunity, but we still need to accomplish more. Affirmative action worked as a proven solution that had been addressing existing discrimination and promoting equal opportunity. Ending affirmative action would end the dreams of opportunity for many. “The fundamental purpose of affirmative action is to further equal opportunity and counter or prevent current discrimination. Importantly, affirmative action programs have a positive impact not only on women and people of color, but all members of our society”. This program ensures equality and provides opportunity to many women, people of color, disabled, and veterans. It is a path where they can compete and be evaluated fairly for jobs and education...
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...Affirmative Action Julia Samsa The History of Affirmative Action: Landmark Cases and Legislation Affirmative action refers to policies designed to increase the presence of “underrepresented” demographic groups-such as racial or ethnic minorities and women-in specific sectors of the workforce or in the student bodies of American universities (Affirmative Action, 2010). Affirmative action policies are founded on the premise that any observed imbalance in a given workforce or student body is due, either wholly or in part, to past and/or present discrimination-the remedy for which consists of compensatory preferences in favor of the underrepresented group(s). These measures most commonly take the form of lowered standards for the hiring, promotion, or admission of members of the preferred groups and set-asides which reserve or earmark a designated percentage of slots for members of the preferred group. Historically, the origins of affirmative action were subtle and incremental. The term “affirmative action” was first introduced to the nation by President John F. Kennedy in March 1961. The President signed Executive Order 10925 which established the President’s Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity (Magee, 2011). By this order, any business working under a federal government contract must take affirmative action in hiring and not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, or national origin (Wilcher, 2006). JFK’s order did not advocate for the preferential treatment...
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...Affirmative Action Initiatives were created in order to correct the wrongs of discrimination and to make equal opportunity a reality. Affirmative Action Initiatives were created by law to ensure equal rights for minorities and women as it pertains to college admissions and promotions within the workforce. The affirmative action initiatives have been scrutinized since its inception. The creation of the initiatives was the first step in a long battle to end discrimination. The original intent was to be aggressive with non-discrimination and to racially integrate the workforces. Affirmative action, originally (Consortium Journal Hospitality & Tourism, 2010) implemented as a means of righting past wrongs and leveling the playing field for minorities and women, has in some circles become a bad word synonymous with quotas, privilege, and reverse discrimination. Although the Initiatives were coined and created in 1961, it wasn’t until the Civil Rights Act in 1964, that racial discrimination was actually prohibited in the workforce. Those for the affirmative action initiatives view them as a positive. Opponents of the Initiatives believe the harm of racial discrimination has dissipated therefore affirmative action is not necessary. Those against believe that race based policies make minority achievement a white allowance and the failure of minorities a group stigma. Those against also believe the Initiatives were created as a means of compensating for all racially based...
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...It has come to my attention that there are no affirmative action policies in place within your company. With today’s workforce becoming increasingly diverse through a wide variety of ways, it is important to follow Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and values. Already accomplishing a steady progression, EEO can be taken a step further in the right direction. Affirmative action is that step. Affirmative action supports minority representation in the workforce and does not support reverse discrimination as some may say (Bohlander & Snell, 2006). Not only is affirmative action in compliance with EEO laws, but it is also just plain good for business. For this reason, I urge this company’s board of directors to implement affirmative action policies. Affirmative action has much to do with forming a balanced workforce (Bohlander & Snell, 2006). Diversity is the key to that balance. By analyzing your workforce to see how diverse it actually is, you can produce a strategy to correct areas of past discrimination (Bohlander & Snell, 2006). Previous discrimination not only in this company, but throughout the entire United States, can be offset by forming an action plan now and for the future (Messerli, 2010). Implementing affirmative action policies now can ensure a less discriminatory future for protected classes. As previously stated, diversity is the key. Companies who put time and effort into recruiting, selecting, training, and promoting members of protected classes have the...
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...Affirmative action is defined as an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education. (“Affirmative) Many people who are often not favored by affirmative action policies, claim affirmative action to be reverse discrimination-- which is: the practice or policy of favoring individuals belonging to groups known to have been discriminated against previously. In the case of this “Ambassadors of the World” trip, a student who was not selected by the committee and is not a member of the one of the 3 disadvantaged groups favored by the affirmative action plan is unable to claim to be a victim of reverse discrimination. This is simply due to the fact that they had a fair opportunity at receiving one of 15 spots on the trip that had not been reserved for a member of disadvantaged groups. The principal’s quota of 5 reserved spots is a very reasonable limit due to it being 25% of the total population of students selected for the trip....
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