Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action

Jean Miller
#43252
American Heritage 100
7:00 am - 7:50 am
M, W, F
Brother J. Baker
Affirmative Action

Affirmative action is a growing argument among our society. It is multifaceted and very often defined vaguely. Some can define affirmative action as the ability to strive for equality and inclusiveness. Others might see it as a quota-based system for different minority groups. “Affirmative action was originally designed to help minorities” (Gross, 1996). Is affirmative action fair? Are minority groups on equal footing? Is gaining employment for minorities difficult? Is education easily obtained for the minority groups of people? Affirmative action endeavors to answer all these questions, while allowing society to believe harmony exists.
“Affirmative action was originally designed to help minorities, but women, especially white women, have made the greatest gains as a result of these programs” (Boston, 1996). Is affirmative action fair? In 1974, a woman named Rose was turned down for a supervisory job in favor of a male. She was told that she was the most qualified person, but the position was going to be filled by a man, because he had a family to support. Five years before that, when Rose was about to fill an entry-level position in banking, a personnel officer outlined the woman’s pay scale, which was $25 to $50 a month less than what men were being paid in the same position. Rose was furious because she felt this was di...

Affirmative Action

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