Affirmative Action Research Paper

Affirmative Action Research Paper

Affirmative Action

University of Phoenix

Susan E. Ricard



Since the beginning of affirmative action, there has been controversy about the program being an effective tool to eliminate discrimination in education and the workplace. Even though the numbers with affirmative action plans seemed to have improved the percentage of minorities in schools and workplaces, it does not work to mandate that people change. Once the mandates disappear the numbers begin to decrease.

In its conception in 1964 with the implementation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, affirmative action was meant to be a way of allowing an equal opportunity for, at this time, blacks to be given the same chances as white men. The argument was that since the beginning ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...Should not the proponents of affirmative action, rather, want to improve the education of the minorities before college so that the standards can remain equal? How compassionate are people when the standards are lowered and what does that do to the mentality of the ones who get accepted without actually being good enough. Lyndon Johnson stated it perfectly by saying, "You do not take a person who, for years, has been hobbled by chains and liberate him, bring him up to the starting line of a race and then say," 'You are free to compete'... and still justly believe that you have been completely fair". (Nagel, 2001). To make someone more equal, progressive steps should be involved.

Those on the minority side, who may not have the best education, sometimes must work harder to prove themselves. This work ethic is not all bad and especially, today, does not only apply to minorities but also to those with any disadvantage. Who has ever been disappointed in themselves for working hard to get where they are, or for their accomplishments? Those that work hard to acquire success have greater self–esteem and more self–worth than those who have not had to earn a position or status. There are many prominent blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and women who have gotten their positions by hard work and determination, not affirmative action. Some of the black prominent figures who advanced themselves include:

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