...Affirmative Action Sharon Huntington University of Phoenix MGT 434 Teresa Knox September 13, 2010 Affirmative Action According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, “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” (Fullinwider, 2009). The following paragraphs will discuss what employers are subject to affirmative action plans, what employers are required to do under affirmative action plans, and what happens if employers do not meet the goals of the affirmative action plan. Affirmative Action Employers Not all employers are required to have an affirmative action plan. “Affirmative action regulations do not apply to everyone, but only to just over 20 percent of the workforce” (Bennett-Alexander & Hartman, 2007, p. 184). The following types of employers are required to have affirmative action plans: • Federal contracts or subcontracts worth $10,000 or more • Or 50 or more employees and contracts worth $50,000 or more • Or are a construction contractor or subcontractor with a federal or federally assisted contract valued at more than $10,000 (The Employers Association, 2009). In addition to being required to have a written affirmative action plan, the above employers are also subject to compliance checks and reviews at the place...
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...Affirmative action is discriminatory and can result in someone not accomplishing their aspiration or dream. With the use of affirmative action, or preferential treatment, one race or gender may have more of an advantage then someone else because of their skin color. Jack Kemp once said, “Affirmative action based on quotas is wrong - wrong because it is antithetical to the genius of the American idea: individual liberty”. Everyone should be treated equal in all scenarios and the most qualified should be chosen. Affirmative action and preferential treatment limit the educational opportunities and social progression in aspects of life such as jobs. All people in consideration, “should be treated as equals unless there are morally relevant reasons for treating them different” (Andre). Factors should be based on the person’s skill and qualifications for the job or acceptance into a school. But, research has shown that minorities have had increases of up to 310 points in their SAT score just because of the race or gender of that person (Affirmative). In these places, race should not be brought up. It should just be based on what they have done and what attributes they will bring. Since the scores might be inflated, it leads to an increase in the inability of them to succeed which then leads to a higher dropout rate. African Americans had a dropout percentage of forty-five percent compared to seventy-three percent by white students in the same year (Andre, Claire). It also was designed...
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...Howard University School of Law. In Frank Wu’s Yellow, he covers a lot of Asian American related topics, many of whom are covered in Asian American class, and he provides his social commentary on the subject matter. Frank Wu opens his books by recounting stories of his experiences as an Asian American and providing events in history that connect his personal experiences to the larger picture of being an Asian American. Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White then moves onto the topic of “The Model Minority”. The idea of the model minority is that Asian are the perfect minority, all prospering without any problems despite their past hardships due to the hard work Asian put in without any complaints. However, this idea is rejected as a myth for three reasons. First off, it is highly inaccurate as a representation of all Asians in America. When you break down the difference between native Asian Americans and immigrant Asians, native-born Asian Americans do significantly poorer in education. And for those who do finish college, there is a lower return on investment as Asians are found to make less than their equivalent white counterparts. Immigrant...
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...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...
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...Alexander Herrera Diversity in the Workplace M3A1 Supporting Affirmative Action Empire State College Affirmative Action: often upon hearing this word, one will start thinking about quotas and reverse discrimination. However, contrary to this misconception, affirmative action is actually a policy that dictates that employers attempt to find diverse employees by exploring untraditional sources of labor. The goal of affirmative action is to create a work force that mirrors the population of the nation both in gender and in ethnicity (Rich, 2014). The two questions that we will be focusing on are: Is affirmative action necessary to give all Americans an equal opportunity to success? Does affirmative action counteract the discrimination that still exists in modern society? Affirmative action is not only morally justifiable, but it is also socially and economically preferable in order to improve our society. The United States’ government first implemented affirmative action to overcome some of the clear differences in living conditions between people of different genders and races. Unfortunately, these differences still exist and eliminating affirmative action now would be untimely for our nation. The need for affirmative action was a concept noticed in 1865 during the passages of the Civil War amendments. During those years our country was still practicing in slavery and wrongful treatment of the black race. While blacks were being forced to comply...
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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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...Class, and Gender in the United States: An Integrated Study, Mantsios thoroughly persuades his readers that Americans avoid talking about class, because there are too many underlying realities that Americans like to “sweep under the rug.” Not only does Mantsios have strong argument to why we all have not reached the same opportunities, the fact that affirmative action still exist is strong evidence, as well. According to Wikipedia, Affirmative action “refers to the policies that take to race, ethnicity, physical disabilities, military career, gender, or a person's parents' social class into consideration”. Many think affirmative action is unnecessary, but statistics show that 95% to 97% white men have corporate positions (“Talking”). These statistics are bad enough, so imagine if there were no affirmative action policies in place. There is no doubt an undeniable gap exist between the rich and the poor and it is difficult to argue that Americans live in a classless society. Many object to affirmative action policies, because they believe that it advocates reverse discrimination. This is certainly not the reason for affirmative action, it is only to create a diverse balance and make sure other qualified people are not looked over for their race, color, class, etc. Another problem in business is the “Glass Ceiling”. This is said to be indirect discrimination against women and minorities from advancing to upper level positions within their job. In the 20th century, women are still...
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...The negative thoughts on the ethicality of affirmative action based on race are not what they seem. Affirmative action was first implemented in the United States to create racial diversity in the workplace but has since expanded into the school admission process. Today the process of getting into a college for white Americans seems unfair as they believe that minorities are given a large advantage over them while a review of the facts can prove otherwise. White college applicants have felt cheated out of a seat when a minority without the same level of qualification is accepted into the college they were rejected from. Of those applicants the most logical reason on why they were rejected is usually pointing a finger at minorities benefiting...
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...“To what extent are Affirmative Action programs no longer needed in the United States?” Affirmative Action is a policy in the United States that “aims to enhance educational and career opportunities for minorities and women by granting them preferences in college and graduate school admissions, promotions, and contract awards.” (Boxill) Such programs are designed to ensure that qualified individuals in America have equal access to opportunity in areas such as education and employment, and receive a fair chance to contribute all their abilities. As T.H. Andersen points out: “Supporters declare themselves the champions of racial justice, protectors of Martin Lurher King’s Dream, while the opponents see themselves as the defenders of merit, of colorblind equal protection enshrined by the U.S. Constitution.” (Anderson Preface X) Therefore, although at first these programs were considered a huge success, many argue that Affirmative Action has been out dated and is not working anymore. Affirmative Action has served its purpose, and is no longer needed and should be abolished or reformed, as it will no longer be useful in helping eliminate the racial gaps in the United States. Affirmative Action has achieved a great deal since it was first introduced in the 1960s. Politicians have characterized Affirmative Action as a policy “designed to right the wrongs of the past, as a quota system, or a set of remedial programs aimed to compensate for the inadequacies of people of color”(Crosby...
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...Business Ethical Diversity in Management 03/12/2015 In the year 1961, affirmative action was introduced. Since its arrival, debates became natural and controversy was part of criteria. In order for the people considered minorities in our country, as well as women to have somewhat of leverage within the work environment, there must me different views. The work force in which a company has desired to develop, should always offer equality and should be unique in its own way. After the establishment of affirmative action, people still have their discrepancies about it not being fair, and signs of discrimination towards others, but with a need there is a way. Companies must still triumph to create a divert plan. A company that wants to succeed and grow beyond others must be acknowledged. I believe its important for companies to have a distinct plan that will put them a step above competitors within a community (Fiske). Equal opportunity laws have been created by the government to support the much needed attention on diversity. These laws require that as a company within a community, no matter their sex, race, religious preferences, sex origin or age, they must administer the same commitment and options to each applicant. When companies want to avert complaints on discrimination, the EEO laws come into play. Any previous discriminant actions can be resolved and corrected with a well thought out plan, that is original therefore, differs from the...
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...Affirmative Action July 2007 Abstract Affirmative action, in the United States, programs to overcome the effects of past societal discrimination by allocating jobs and resources to members of specific groups, such as minorities and women. The policy was implemented by federal agencies enforcing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and two executive orders, which provided that government contractors and educational institutions receiving federal funds develop such programs. The Equal Employment Opportunities Act (1972) set up a commission to enforce such plans. Affirmative Action was evolved from the civil rights era, 1950’s through 1960 when African Americans fought to live as normal human beings. Dr. Martin Luther King, NAACP, and other black organizations fought racism by marches, rallies, and sit-ins. Despite the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King and other great activists, schools, universities, and public facilities were racially integrated. This was the time when Affirmative Action came into play, a century after the abolishment of slavery, United States finally after a Century began to address racism. President Kennedy was given credit for enacting important laws; Executive Order 10925 in 1961, which stated that Government contractors had to take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed without regard to race, creed, color or national origin. President Kennedy was pressured by civil rights movements to enact Affirmative Action. But...
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...the government. The recent success of the law contributed to the outline of a current policy in Brazil which is affirmative action. Affirmative action regulates that 20 percent of all government positions be filled by people of color-either black or mixed race. Affirmative action policies were introduced to Brazil in 2001 as part of affirmative action collided head-on with a defining feature of Brazilian identity (site). For, much of the twentieth-century Brazilian policymakers and leader promoted that the country itself was a racial democracy, but the country’s black activist groups have argued that it is a myth and that the country itself has an unofficial color-blindness over race. Since, then advocates for the civil rights movement in Brazil lead to policymakers to experiment with affirmative action in universities and in the workplace. There has been supportive of the policy from various groups, for instance, the National Human Rights Program. National Human Rights Program proposed the support for private business with affirmative action programs and measures to increase access to universities (site). They represented one of the first of groups to fully officially recognized the well-being of affirmative action on Africans. When the policy was first introduced in 2001, in the following months, state agencies at all levels began announcing affirmative action policies (site). The following agencies that further established and put blacks in their workplace were the Constitutional...
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...Affirmative Action 1 Affirmative Action: It is Time for More Action Rasmussen College English Composition Patty Klugg September 9, 2009 Affirmative Action 2 Affirmative Action: It is Time for More Action According to a 1997 Gallup Poll whites believe that affirmative action has worked much better than it has. 79% of whites believe that African Americans have equal chance of getting a job as whites; only 46% of African Americans agree. 44% of both groups believe whites are racist. Out of both groups polled 62% claim to hold little or no prejudices. These statistics show that there is a lot to be done in the way of educating the American people on affirmative action and equal rights in the workplace. Affirmative Action has failed in delivering equal rights in work place. (2007, Affirmative Action Setbacks) Affirmative Action was originally created to generate more and better opportunities for minority workers. In response to the civil rights movements of the 50’s and 60’s President Kennedy issued Executive Order 10925. Later President Johnson issued executive orders that were much more extensive that required government contractors to act affirmatively to desegregate the formerly all-white, or all male, job categories in their workplaces. Later education also became part of the affirmative action programs. It is not a surprise that in the last 30 years little progress has been made, since it was primarily...
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...Affirmative Action In America University of Phoenix, Axia College Affirmative Action In America Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This statement will always ring true especially on the subject of equal opportunity employment and Affirmative Action. While Affirmative Action seemed to be a hot topic in the past, it is still one that should continue to be addressed. Affirmative Action is needed in the American workplace to improve morale and create equity among all Americans. The history of Affirmative Action (AA) is a long one. The first federal law passed was The Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law started the term, “Equal Opportunity Employment” and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The first legislation to pass was Executive Order number 11246 on September 24, 1965 (Aberson & Haag, 2003). This essentially stated that employers needed to take affirmative action to ensure no one was discriminated against for their race, religion, color, or country of origin. In more recent years, employers have added sexual orientation, abilities, and ethnicity to their list of nondiscrimination. Unfortunately, during these times white men were not always accepting of women and minorities in the workplace. Women who joined the workplace in the 1960s and 1970s were expected to do chores for the men in the workplace. They would also be sexually harassed and abused by their male coworkers...
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...higher education, making it even more difficult for Jews to enter colleges. Brodkin’s next claim is that Jews started to become white through the efforts that were taken place during WWII and the fact they they started to become middle class. According to Brodkin, “Some of the changes set in motion during the war against fascism led to a more inclusive version of whiteness. Anti-Semitism and anti-European racism lost respectability.” The discrimination towards European races took a backseat as there was a greater fight happening at the time. Brodkin’s next claim is that affirmative programs were the ultimate forces that aided European races to becoming white and reaching higher classes. Through programs such as the GI Bill of Rights and VA mortgages, male European men were able to advance to higher education and gain more professional careers. Brodkin describes these programs as being affirmative action as they favored these...
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