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race equality and fairness
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In this essay I will consider whether or not quotas for job applicant selection are a solution to racial inequality in the United States of America. In considering this subject I will rely on In Defense of Quotas by James Rachels who argues that the use of Quotas is justifiable in certain circumstances. First I will qualify my use of the word race and clarify what I mean when I reference racial equality. Then I will present an argument that quotas will not work as the sole solution to racial inequality. After this I will support a premise for my main argument which is that not all of the races are equivalently qualified for potentially equivalent jobs. After this I will consider a possible objection to my argument which is that quotas should be enacted even if candidates are not equivalently qualified for a job. Finally I will conclude that, although quotas for job applicant selection could work if minority groups had equivalent qualifications, if quotas alone were enacted, they would most likely fail in solving the monetary inequality between different racial groups. First of all, I must clarify that when I use the word race I intend to express the socially constructed idea that groups of people are categorized or can be rightfully by their appearance or ethnicity. Although I find the term significant only inasmuch as they are used in society, since the subject of this essay deals with the socially constructed idea of race, I too will fall into a language that I ultimately consider somewhat misleading. For this paper I will consider racial inequality the quantifiable difference between groups when groups of people are categorized by their appearance or ethnicity. Given that the United States of America has predominately Capital... ... middle of paper ... ...n supported my premises, specifically the idea that not all of the races are equivalently qualified for potentially equivalent jobs if considering college is considered a major qualification. After this I answered the possible objection that such quotas should be put in play anyways which would seem to have a limited success to say the least. Therefore, it seems that as Rachels presents them, if quotas for employee selection alone were enacted, then they would most likely fail in solving the monetary inequality between different racial groups. Although I must admit that Rachels did not claim that quotas act as an absolute solution to inequality in the United States, it seems that considering quotas as a solution to social inequality while neglecting the fact that groups of people categorized by race are not equally qualified is not a solution to racial inequality.
Winant, Howard. 2000 "Race and race theory." Annual review of sociology ():-. Retrieved from http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/faculty/winant/Race_and_Race_Theory.html on Mar 17, 1980
The progress, justification and contesting of preferential affirmative action has ensued in two ways. The first is administrative and legal systems. Departments of government, courts and legislatures have formulated and implemented guidelines calling for affirmative action. The other is public discussion, where the policy of preferential management has generated many controversies. The two pathways make inadequate interaction, with the public arguments not based in any prevailing lawful practices.
The policy of affirmative action was created to promote equal opportunity in the workfield, however the policy has its own issues as it has produced lots of controversies since its inception. In particular, opponents of Affirmative action argues against the real effects of affirmative action and skeptical whether societal disparities in employment opportunities and incomes were simply the outcome of socioeconomic labelling, hence the effectiveness of affirmative action to address the disparities was also brought into questioning. Moreover the policy is also controversial in that it does, to a certain extent, exert discriminatory racial tension because it discriminates against non-minority groups. Therefore this essay will discuss some of the issues related to the controversial policy as well as explore some of the underlying causes of the policy and assessment of some of its measured benefits.
racial inequality at every phase of the system, and consequently, for the system as a
The subject of affirmative action in college admissions has been hotly debated since its inception. Although affirmative action was originally supported by the vast majority, that same majority is now starting to wonder if there is a better way. Commonly asked questions include: “Is affirmative action still working?” and “Is there an alternative?” The answers to each of these questions will provide insurmountable evidence that affirmative action in college admissions no longer fulfills its intended purpose and that the only viable alternative is to focus more attention on primary schooling for the underprivileged.
In this essay we will discuss the theories of racial inequality. Racial inequality occurs when people have more access to different resources based specifically on the race. A race is a group of people who share the same physical characteristics. I will be providing a summary of the article. I will also provide an evaluation of the arguments that he puts forth. Then I will provide my reaction to what he said and finally I will present an alternate argument.
Institutions in the businesses sector are swarming in racial discrimination, much of which is covert and difficult to detect and prove. Racial discrimination excludes, marginalizes and exploits those citizens who are discriminated against, ceasing any opportunity for economic progress and development. Under certain regulations some businesses are required to diversify their workplace by hiring certain amounts of people of color, but in reality these small quotas do not do much for the overall condition of the people who are being discriminated against. Businesses that fail to take action on racial discrimination tend to have lower levels of productivity. This stems from employees not being interested in working hard, or because people with exceptional talents and skills choose to shy away from certain places of employment due to the fear of racial discrimination. Employees who feel wronged also tend to switch jobs, forcing the organization to spend more time and resources on hiring and training new employees, besides coping with the low productivity of a new employee. (Nayab)The effects of racial discrimination in the American work force could be identified with funded research on the topic. With ample data employers will be able to better understand the negative affects that racial discrimination have
This article is very statistical and incorporates a lot of formulas to prove the point that there is inequality between the different races. This article helps depict the inequality
After long years of suffering, degradation, and different sorts of discrimination which the disadvantaged group of people had experienced, the “Affirmative Action Law” was finally passed and enforced for the very first time on September 24, 1965. The central purpose of the Affirmative Action Law is to combat racial inequality and to give equal civil rights for each citizen of the United States, most especially for the minorities. However, what does true equality mean? Is opportunity for everyone? In an article entitled, “None of this is fair”, the author, Mr. Richard Rodriguez explains how his ethnicity did not become a hindrance but instead, the law became beneficial. However, Mr. Richard Rodriguez realized the unfairness of the “Affirmative Action” to people who are more deserving of all the opportunities that were being offered to him. Through Mr. Rodriguez’s article, it will demonstrates to the reader both favorable, and adverse reaction of the people to the Affirmative Action, that even though the program was created with the intention to provide equality for each and every citizen, not everyone will be pleased, contented, and benefit from the law.
Payne, Angela R., and Bharat S. Thakkar. "The Hypocrisy Of Affirmative Action: Race And The Labor Market." International Journal Of Innovations In Business 1.4 (2012): 274-292. Business Source Premier. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
Hiring Minorities In recent years, preferential hiring has become an issue of great interest. Preferential hiring, which was devised to create harmony between the different races and sexes, has divided the lines even more. Supporters on both sides seem fixed in their positions and often refuse to listen to the other group's platform. In this essay, the recipients of preferential hiring will be either black or female, and the position in question will be a professorship at the university level.
Race as a “…social and historical idea, not biological” (Palaita, Lecture 1/25/18), only works because according to Social Construction Theory, “…these categories work because our complacency allows us to presume that the identities are natural and a group’s social status relies on biology, rather than social/cultural circumstances” (Palaita, Lecture 1/25/18). Our unwillingness to challenge these identities has allowed these categories to be used to determine who will be on the advantageous side of the inequality we face here in the United States. If we no longer accepted these conditions, and change the way social groups are viewed and treated, we may create a new norm and close the inequality gap between social
When a provision is intentionally introduced that has the effect of discriminating one group of people, it mat still be allowed if its purpose is to correct an imbalance that has occurred through discrimination in the past. Thus, the government may intentionally set out to hire women or specific ethnic minorities to get a better balance in the civil service. This is permissible even though it will have the effect of preventing people of other groups, such as Caucasian men, from having an equal opportunity to obtain those same jobs. Universities often have similar programs to encourage minorities to enter faculties to correct historical
If one is to discuss and problem solve an issue, he or she must first know what the issue is truly about. Affirmative action is defined as the equal opportunities given to women, minorities, and small groups so they will have the same tools, education, and allotment to achieve their goals in life. Since affirmative action came about, debate arises daily about if it is truly equal and fair. Was it a word made as a cushion to the people so they will feel equal? Another interpretation is did this word actually make the white male group less important and unequal to the minority group, doing more harm to others than good. Affirmative action is not used unequally in the world, but in actuality if it was not for it these people would have nothing. Julie A. Mertus supports the need for opportunities given to women in the work force. In the work force today many women are overlooked and pushed aside because of their gender. Many of the big wigs in businesses today feel that a woman is inferior to a man’s intelligence of work skill trades. A woman can simply not handle the stress on the body or the mind thinking dilemmas in which a man can supposedly accomplish. Affirmative action however has allowed the women a chance to display their skills but what the debate arises is, because of the gifts given by affirmative action is this good for the world of today. Mertus gives an example of a German landscaper that was excluded from his promotion due to his company's quota requirements. The company's quota requirements stated that if a man and a woman are applying for the same promotion and there is a tie, the woman will be given the job if less than half holding the job are women. Another example given is that of a male ...
The focus of this paper is on the history of affirmative action and its relevance to our society. Affirmative action focuses on the importance of equality and equal opportunity among all people in terms of education and employment. In coordination with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Employment Opportunities Act of 1972, the affirmative action policy was submitted by federal agencies. Is it not true that ethnic minorities do not have the same opportunities in life as whites, and that women should be entitled to the same opportunities as men? This act is only a means to help the less advantaged members of our society. In this case the less advantage would be those of color and women (www.infoplease.com).