Affirmative Action Is Discrimination

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Denise Banks
English 1A, Mr. Odien
June 1, 2009
Research Paper
Affirmative Action is Discrimination

            Affirmative action began as a measure to alleviate African American’s and other minorities from discrimination in the schools and the work force. It is a policy that ensures diversity by making workplaces and schools reserve open places for minority students, even if they are less qualified. Over the years, it has been both criticized and praised by people who think it opens up great opportunities for the formerly oppressed, and those who believe that it encourages “reverse racism”, excluding more qualified whites from schools and jobs in favor of a less qualified minority.
            Affirmative action started off as a good enough idea. It was meant to help ease struggles faced by minorities trying to advance their ways in the world. It was first made into law in 1961 by John F. Kennedy, who stated that government contractors “take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin,” under Executive Order 10925.
In 1967, it was amended by President Johnson to include sex as one of the attributes, and
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required federal contractors to take “affirmative action” to promote the full realization of equal opportunity for women and minorities, under Executive Order 11246.
            On July 20, 1995 the Board of Regents of the University of California took on Regents Resolutions SP-1 and SP-2. SP-1 required that race, religion, sex, color, ethnicity, and national origin not be considered in the admissions decision process. SP-2 focused on University employment and contracts, eliminating consideration of race, religion, sex, color, ethnicity, and national origin in decisions of hiring and contracting.
            During the November 5, 1996 election, California voters voted 54% to 46% to amend the California... [continues]

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