- A programme giving members of a previous disadvantaged minority a head start e.g in higher education or employment.
Examples:
- Gratz vs University of Michigan: Undergraduate programme was too “mechanistic” according to the SC. All black, Hispanic and American Indians were given 20/180 points automatically.
- Parents vs Jefferson County: Can’t let students in for the purpose of achieving racial balance
- Fisher vs University of Texas: Use of race in its admission policy must be subjected to scrutiny as time goes on – can be viewed as positive discrimination.
Does
It Work:
- Some people saw Obama’s win in the election as a victory for affirmative action, The Atlantic wrote that “He did not ask people to vote for him because he black.”
- Some will argue that it does work because more BME residents are more likely to feel success.
- Some say that it will not work because it means that society stays entrenched with race unable to progress.
Advantages &
Disadvantages of Affirmative Action:
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Advantages:
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Disadvantages:
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Such programmes lead to
greater levels of diversity which would not have been achieved by
just leaving things as they were.
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Preference for one group
leads inevitably to disadvantage for another group. Issue of
reverse discrimination. “you create anger and resentment”
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Affirmative action is
justified on the basis that it rights previous wrongs. The
previously disadvantaged are now advantaged.
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Can lead to minorities to
be admitted to courses or given jobs with which they are
ill-equipped to cope. A study found that putting black students in
a class with white students with high SAT scores saw the black
students doing worse than their counterparts.
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It opens up areas of
education and employment which minorities otherwise would not have
considered.
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Affirmative action can be
condescending to minorities by implying that they need a helping
hand in order to succeed thereby demeaning their achievement.
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In education, a diverse
student body creates not only a better learning environment but
also one in which ethnic and racial tolerance is promoted.
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Perpetuates a society based
on colour and race thereby encouraging prejudice.
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It is the most meaningful
and effective means thus far devised by government for delivering
the promise of equal opportunity
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Affirmative action is no
more than a quota system under another name
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It works. More black people
aged between 25-29 in 1960-1995 saw a rose in graduation from 5%
to 15%
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Has Affirmative
Action Been Good For America:
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Yes:
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No:
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Has helped to reverse
decades of discrimination and righted numerous wrongs.
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Has divided the black
community rather than empower it
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Given black American
community hope – and education, jobs and housing
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Like the racism it sought
to end, it is itself a programme based on race
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Increasing evidence of
minority students at top university
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Has led to resentments and
inequalities for the majority community
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Helped to promote community
diversity
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Lowers aspirations by
offering racial preferences
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Has helped to promote
equality of opportunity and equality of outcome
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Puts minority students into
academic places where they will struggle and compete and succeed.
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