Perspective on Discrimination in the Workplace

Abstract
This paper explores published articles that report on results from research conducted through the internet and non-internet resources on why do we as a society still need Affirmative Action and why isn't Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) sufficient to prevent workplace discrimination? The articles will take a look at affirmative action in admissions to public colleges, and the workforce, as well as why even with federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws that protect people against sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of age, disability, race, sex, marital status, pregnancy, breastfeeding, family responsibilities, sexual preference, medical record, criminal record, trade union activity, political opinion, social origin, religion, and nationality or ethnic origin, workplace discrimination still occurs in today's society. This paper will also look into potential pros and cons of diversity management.
Keywords: equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, discrimination, diversity

In order to see why we still need Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity in our society today, I believe we need to look back at why we needed them in the first place. The term "affirmative action" was first introduced by President Kennedy in 1961 as a means to addressing discrimination that had persisted despite civil rights laws and constitutional guarantees (Brunner & Rowen, 2007). It was designed to be a temporary remedy to level the playing field for blacks and other minorities on education and jobs. The thought was affirmative action would end once a level playing field existed for all Americans. However, many white Americans did not believe this leveled the playing field but created "reverse discrimination" against them (Brunner & Rowen, 2007).
Affirmative action in its