Pros And Cons Of Affirmative Action

Is Affirmative Action Good or Bad for Society? First used by President Kennedy, the term “Affirmative Action”, generally refers to policies that an organization or institution enforces to improve opportunities for groups that have been historically excluded from the American society. It was the result of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement which aimed to end discrimination by ensuring that minority groups have a fair chance at being hired, regardgless of race or gender. According to the NCSL “the term "affirmative action" is an Executive Order that directed government contractors to take "affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or
Affirmative action gives a person belonging to a minority group a chance at becoming a successful professional. Furthermore, it creates an atmosphere where cultures and ideals can be shared without hindrances. Dontigney’s article on affirmative action states that “diversity in the workplace provides adaptability in terms of problem solving by offering a wider array of possible solutions through experiences and lifestyles” (Dontigney). An assortment of cultures can increase creativity and cooperation at school or at the workplace. For example, diversity can help students of employees better understand fellow classmates or customers who come from diverse backgrounds. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, “colleges and universities reach out to groups that are underrepresented and urge students to apply” (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2014). Over the years, affirmative action has lead to the increased representation of those form minority groups at colleges and universities. Those who have graduated are reported to have received better jobs and standard of living. Hence, affirmative action does in fact benefits
Messerli states that “Minorities have given decades of unpaid labor, had land taken from them, were subject to brutal punishments, and were denied most of the fundamental rights provided by our Constitution” (Messerli, 2012). Affirmative action can be considered as a way in which minorities get compensated for the harsh treatment to their ancestors. An even playing field means that everyone should be treated the same and receive the same opportunities and benefits. Special treatment should not exist for any individual just because of their race or gender. While this may sound contradictory, affirmative action was created to combat the special treatment of those belonging to the majority groups. The National Women’s Law Center stated that “affirmative action programs have played a critical role in opening up opportunities for women and minorities to begin to take their rightful place in our society” (National Women's Law Center, 2000). The age-old gender inequality between men and women in the workforce however, has been steadily improving. We now see women in top positions such as presidents and CEO’s of fortune 500 companies. As a result, it is becoming more and more evident that affirmative action is good for society. While it may seem harsh to those in the majority groups, it has in a sense reversed the roles to the point where the majority feels disadvantaged. However, affirmative