Affirmative Action An Controversial Government Policy

Temple Duarte Affirmative action has become one of the most controversial government policies in modern history. Especially in college admissions, affirmative action requires the use of quotas, which results in recruiting members of an underrepresented group rather than the most qualified for the job or university. Is affirmative action really the best solution to making sure minorities are gaining the educational opportunities they need? In its original form, Affirmative Action was designed to allow underrepresented minorities compete in fields they were long not considered to participate in. Racial inequality in the United States, especially in the former Confederate South, remained entrenched in law for nearly a hundred years after the end of the Civil War. Discrimination against black Americans and other ethnic groups denied them the chance to be as successful as whites, and led to widespread poverty. The words â€Å"affirmative action† were first pronounced by President Lyndon Johnson ’s Executive Order 11246 of 1965, which requires federal contractors to â€Å"take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin† (The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia). In 1967, Johnson expanded the Executive Order to include affirmative action requirements to benefit women and in 1972 affirmative action was implemented for college admissions. Initially, affirmativeShow MoreRelatedEssay on Affirmative Action Policies912 Words   |  4 PagesThe past few days the human resources department has been discussing the importance of implementing an affirmative action policy to assist in assuring that the company complies with equal employment opportunity laws. The department has decided that the best action is to contact the members of the board of directors. The Federal Government has passed several laws to prevent employment discrimination, and not complying with these laws can cause serious consequences. The purpose of equal employmentRead MoreFormation of Public Policy Final Paper605 Words   |  3 PagesThe government is in charge of operating the most diverse nation in the world while trying to take the best interests of as many people as possible. Controversy is unavoidable in a country with diversity among races, ethnicities, and political feelings. Public policy is not exempt from controversial legislation. Chapters 10 and 13 thoroughly discuss the issues of legal and social equality as well as policy relating to private morality. The formation of public policy relating to private moralityRead MoreAffirmative Action Programs Should Be Legal1320 Words   |  6 Pagesto our textbook, institutions or organizations involves with affirmative action programs in order to improve opportunities or provide compensations for individuals that belong to omitted groups in the U.S history. While affirmative action programs are prevalent in a numerous of fields, employment and education are the two most active fields that focus on the affirmative action. In many associations and other cases, the affirmative action can be considered as a series of privileged programs. TheseRead More Affirmative Action - We Should Not Forget Americas Racist Past1486 Words   |  6 PagesAffirmative Action - We Should Not Forget Americas Racist Past Affirmative Action has become of the most controversial social policy issues to be discussed in recent years. It is controversial because it challenges fundamental American beliefs. As Seymour Martin Lipset put it: Affirmative Action policies have forced a sharp confrontation between two core American values: equality and individualism.(Dudley7) This values oriented approach, which pervades popular discussion and derives fromRead MoreAffirmative Action Necessary or Unnecessary? Essay1000 Words   |  4 PagesAffirmative Action was centered around 1961 because women and minorities were being discriminated against. By definition, affirmative action is â€Å"the encouragement of increased representation of women and minority-group members, especially in employment† (Dictionary.com). The main controversy of affirmative action is whether or not it is still necessary, and if it should be abolished all together. It was originally intended to benefit cultural groups that were thou ght to suffer from discriminationRead MoreAn Ethical Dilemma: Affirmative Action, Do We Still Need It?1706 Words   |  7 PagesEthical Dilemma: Affirmative Action, Do We Still Need It? An Ethical Dilemma: Affirmative Action, Do We Still Need It? Abstract This paper discusses the importance of affirmative action in today’s society and the ethical role it plays when Employers and Universities are considering entry to their respected places of establishment. The paper will conclude with what America will face in the future in terms of affirmative action. An Ethical Dilemma: Affirmative Action, Do We Still NeedRead MoreEssay on We Still Need Affirmative Action512 Words   |  3 Pagesequality of opportunity through nondiscrimination alone to affirmative action to establish ‘goals and timetables’ to achieve absolute equality between blacks and whites† (Dye 253). These goals and timetables were cemented with Executive Order No. 11246, issued by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. This order is commonly referred to as the foundation for modern-day affirmative action programs. Today, affirmative action is a very controversial subject, with as many opponents as there are supportersRead More The Importance of Affirmative Action in America Essay867 Words   |  4 PagesThe Importance of Affirmative Action in America Affirmative action is a much debated topic based on the efforts of our government to overcome prejudicial treatment through inclusion. Affirmative action is a way of helping minorities in our country get jobs and avoid racial injustice. Many large companies have increased their employment of minorities after adopting these policies (Plous). Despite the efforts of affirmative action today, women still only earn 76 cents for every dollar earnedRead MoreAffirmative Action in the Workplace1282 Words   |  5 PagesAffirmative Action in the Workplace Introduction The Civil Rights Act of 1964 empowered minorities in many different ways, most notably in prohibiting discrimination in the workplace. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act expressly prohibits discrimination in hiring, firing, promotion, pay, benefits and other aspects of employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin (U.S. Department of Labor, 2012). This law was seen as a major boon to minorities and women in the workforce whoRead Moreaffirmative action1695 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿ Abstract What is affirmative action? Affirmative action is an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, esp. in relation to employment or education; positive discrimination. In the 1940s: President Roosevelt signed an order making discrimination illegal in defense contracting. 1954: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that separate but equal facilities on the basis of race were unconstitutionally discriminatory. The Act of 1964: Congress