Affirmative Action Essay -- Discrimination Race Racism Essays

Affirmative Action Because economic, social, gender and racial inequalities exist within the American population, it is in the best interest of its people and government to take action to amend these problems. Since the U.S has a capitalistic based economy, there is little that the government can do to completely end all inequalities. However, it can try to remedy racial and gender discrimination. The most realistic and supported program is Affirmative Action, which has many key issues: does the government have the right to enforce â€Å"reverse discrimination† or is it right to take race or gender into account for purposes of diversity and equality when evaluating college or job applications? The United States has a history of treating minorities, women and immigrants like 2nd-class citizens while favoring affluent white males (Schrag). In 1857, the Scott vs. Sanford decision stated that blacks have â€Å"no rights which the white man is bound to respect† (Davis). However, changes were made in the legal treatment of women and minorities with the 1866 Civil Rights Act that guaranteed every citizen â€Å"the same right to make and enforce contracts†¦as enjoyed by white citizens† (Sykes) and the 14th Amendment, which â€Å"grants citizenship to everyone born in the US, forbids states from denying ‘life, liberty, or property’ without due process of law, and guarantees equal protection under the laws† (DCLU). Despite such legislation, a major setback took place in the 1896 Plessy vs. Ferguson court decision upholding that â€Å"separate but equal† accommodations were constitutional (DCLU). Because of this forced inequality, many et hnicities were kept out of upper levels of American businesses and educational institutions (Hudson). The mid-20th cent... ...parently credible} The Hopwood Aftermath. University of Texas. 1 May 1997. . {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} Wydick, Bruce. â€Å"Affirmative Action in college admissions: Examining labor market effects of four alternative policies.† Contemporary Economic Policy. 20.1 (Jan 2003): 12-25. {primary scholarly; print via internet; reputable} US Census Bureau. â€Å"Poverty Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin: 2001 and 2002.† {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} US Census Bureau. â€Å"Table 1: Income in the United States: 2002† pg. 3. {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} US Census Bureau. â€Å"Table 2: Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by occupation and sex, 1983 and 2002 annual averages.† {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} Affirmative Action Essay -- Discrimination Race Racism Essays Affirmative Action Because economic, social, gender and racial inequalities exist within the American population, it is in the best interest of its people and government to take action to amend these problems. Since the U.S has a capitalistic based economy, there is little that the government can do to completely end all inequalities. However, it can try to remedy racial and gender discrimination. The most realistic and supported program is Affirmative Action, which has many key issues: does the government have the right to enforce â€Å"reverse discrimination† or is it right to take race or gender into account for purposes of diversity and equality when evaluating college or job applications? The United States has a history of treating minorities, women and immigrants like 2nd-class citizens while favoring affluent white males (Schrag). In 1857, the Scott vs. Sanford decision stated that blacks have â€Å"no rights which the white man is bound to respect† (Davis). However, changes were made in the legal treatment of women and minorities with the 1866 Civil Rights Act that guaranteed every citizen â€Å"the same right to make and enforce contracts†¦as enjoyed by white citizens† (Sykes) and the 14th Amendment, which â€Å"grants citizenship to everyone born in the US, forbids states from denying ‘life, liberty, or property’ without due process of law, and guarantees equal protection under the laws† (DCLU). Despite such legislation, a major setback took place in the 1896 Plessy vs. Ferguson court decision upholding that â€Å"separate but equal† accommodations were constitutional (DCLU). Because of this forced inequality, many et hnicities were kept out of upper levels of American businesses and educational institutions (Hudson). The mid-20th cent... ...parently credible} The Hopwood Aftermath. University of Texas. 1 May 1997. . {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} Wydick, Bruce. â€Å"Affirmative Action in college admissions: Examining labor market effects of four alternative policies.† Contemporary Economic Policy. 20.1 (Jan 2003): 12-25. {primary scholarly; print via internet; reputable} US Census Bureau. â€Å"Poverty Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin: 2001 and 2002.† {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} US Census Bureau. â€Å"Table 1: Income in the United States: 2002† pg. 3. {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable} US Census Bureau. â€Å"Table 2: Median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by occupation and sex, 1983 and 2002 annual averages.† {unrestricted; print via internet; reputable}