Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action is what gives preferential treatment to minorities in areas such as college admissions, or employment in government or business jobs. Affirmative Action brings ethnicity and race into consideration during application processes into colleges and government jobs and business. The idea of Affirmative Action came about to correct decades of discrimination against minorities, and to diversify society. For example, if I, a Pakistani American, were to apply for Harvard University, and there was only one opening, but at the same time, a white American applied, both of us being equally qualified, I would probably get the position, because I am part of the minority. I believe that Affirmative Action is a good idea and should continue to be exercised in schools and jobs throughout the U.S.

• Firstly, Affirmative Action is needed to compensate minorities for centuries of oppression and slavery. From the early years of the U.S. to the twentieth century, whites oppressed, discriminated against, enslaved, and took land from minorities. Minorities had land taken from them, served decades of unpaid labor, and were subject to brutal punishments. Affirmative Action is a way to give back to the descendants of those who were treated so horribly for so long.

• Secondly, stereotypes that are set in place by predecessors of minorities may never give individuals the opportunity to be seen as individuals without Affirmative Action. For example, for centuries African Americans were seen as less competent than whites, until Affirmative Action gave blacks the opportunity to show they were just as proficient. Stereotypes such as this, and others have started to change and will continue to change, with the help of Affirmative Action.

• Lastly, Affirmative Action is needed to diversify school and working environments. An important part of the education experience is learning how to interact