The Affirmative Action Debate

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The Affirmative Action Debate Most Americans desire a colorblind society. A society where individuals are judged upon merit, as opposed to the color of their skin. That is the reason Affirmative Action was birthed by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. That is also the reason that Proposition 209 was voted for in 1996. These two historical events are driven by the desire of equality. What is Affirmative Action? According to Geraldine Leshin, it is "Taking positive or active steps to accomplish the public policy goal of equal employment opportunity." What is Proposition 209? Its a new law that has been passed that "prohibits the state of California and local governments from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public employment, public education or public contracting (San Jose Mercury News)." Affirmative action was implemented for important reasons. "Broadly defined, affirmative action refers to efforts to increase educational and employment opportunities for minorities and women. More specifically, it applies to various programs and policies designed to increase the number of minorities and women hired by government and industry and admitted into colleges and universities."(Faundez, 213) Affirmative action is important especially in the work force. Before affirmative action, minorities and women felt, and seemed to be, discriminated against being chosen for the job. Affirmative action was to help with the "increasing of opportunities for those that were previously discriminated against"(Lemann, 145). Affirmative action was created to not only help Black-Amer... ... middle of paper ... .... Leshin, Geraldine (1979). Equal Employment Opportunity an Affirmative Action in Labor-Management Relations A PRIMER. Institute of Industrial Relations: Los Angeles, Tab H. Mendoza, Ryan (1996). Affirmative Action remains the American compromise. The Yale Daily News, Internet. Available: http://www.townhall.com/columnists.duplantier/dul112195.html (1996, October 4). Mills, Nicolaus, ed. Debating Affirmative Action: Race, Gender, Ethnicity, and the Politics of Inclusion. New York: Delta trade Paper-backs, 1994. Proposition 209 and Affirmative Action (1996). San Jose Mercury News. Available: http://www.sjercruy.com/news/breaknws.htm Rockwell, Paul (1996). Angry White Guys For Affirmative Action. Available: http://www.dnai.com/~awgfaa/html/angry.html (1996, October 4).

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