Affirmative Action (AA) is a very controversial issue. Despitethe opposing argument however, AA is a measure that should not beabolished anytime soon. On the contrary, it should be stronglyenforced.
Contrary to what many people believe, AA is not a measure tohelp unqualified people take the place of better-qualified peoplejust because they belong to a particular race or gender, nor is ita "payback" measure meant to discriminate against formeroppressors.
AA is a measure that ensures proportional representation ofminorities that have been historically marginalized anddisenfranchised in employment and school admissions.
AA may have started as a measure meant to remedy past injusticesof racial and sexual discrimination. Today AA has expanded its roleto counteract remaining patterns of traditional discriminationagainst minorities and to ensure that these minorities compete onthe same level.
Critics claim that AA corrupts the purity of social process andthat it puts the value of diversity over the value of merit andefficiency. However, efficiency and merit are terms evaluated intraditionally distorted standards built on unjust stereotypes thatdo not reflect the real value of diversity.
Minorities have proven that merit and efficiency can be achievedthrough non-traditional practices, yet the outcomes of suchpractices are as good, or better, than traditional ones. AA servesto deconstruct old patterns of discriminative practices inemployment and school admissions that were built without theseminorities in mind.
AA may not be the best measure, or the most fair one.
Indeed, it has flaws and needs revision. Institutions thatembrace and enforce AA should be careful and responsible inselecting those who qualify for AA and those who do not in order tomaintain the validity of AA.
AA makes some people uncomfortable because it destroys theirfalse notion of a perfect, color-blind society in which everyone isequal.
Deep down inside almost all of us would agree that such a notionis just an illusion. Let's face it: We live in a society whereracial profiling is currently an acceptable practice for the policeand the criminal justice system!
No, our society is not color blind and we are still far awayfrom achieving social and racial equality. Martin Luther King'sdream has not yet become a reality, and racism still exists.
300+ years of inequality are not going to be solved in 50. Thereis a time and place for Affirmative Action and that time isnow.
AA, in my opinion, is just a temporary measure that will helpthat notion eventually become a reality and hopefully someday wewill not need AA.
As of right now, unfortunately, we do.
Note to Mr. McGarrity: Next time you protest against an issuelike this one, please do so in a more competent manner. Leave thecookie sales for the girl scouts.
Pamela S. Saavedra
Senior
Political Science Major
