Affirmative Action Program

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Recommended: History of affirmative action

Racism, a morally wrong idea that has been combated in numerous ways by many first world governments. When observing the laws used to combat it, one must observe the consequences of such actions. Even though these laws have no intent to harm a “socioeconomic disadvantaged class,” they may discriminate against a different socioeconomic class. One of these laws, or programs, is the Affirmative Action Program, put into effect when “President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order to unite the workforces on projects without regard to race, creed, color or national origin” (Finkelman, 2004). Many people argue, that it is not necessary in this modern era, and that it only causes harm. Affirmative Action can lead to cases of reverse racism because it focuses on the color of an individual instead of skill sets, it takes jobs away from majorities with higher qualification and it harms the minorities it is attempting to help.
Affirmative action is an example of reverse racism it focuses on the color of an individual instead of skill sets. Affirmative Action is described as “ a cogent description of reverse racism” (Fish 128) . What is affirmative action? Stanley Fish, an American literary theorist, says “once racism and sexism were recognized as immoral...we had to decide what to do about it” (128). Racism was a legitimate problem in America ever since the beginning of the slave trade. After numerous lynching incidents and evident discriminatory actions in the workplace, the United States government has decided that action needs to be taken. As mentioned above, in 1961, the first action was taken to address this issue. Up until then there were still laws preventing racial minorities from getting certain jobs (Robinson 2003), these laws...

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...ley. “reverse racism or How the Pot Got to Call the Kettle Black” The Atlantic Monthly
Nov. 1993: 128-136. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
Kim, Richard. “Race Lies and Videotape.” Nation 16 Aug. 2010:s. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
MacNiven, Don. “Creative Morality” Psychology Press. London: Taylor and Frances, 1993. Print
Perez, Thomas E. "Hiring." U.S. Department of Labor. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
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O'Sullivan, John. “Reverse for racism” National Review. 20 March 1995, Vol. 47 Issue 5, p6. Web.
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Fredrickson, George M. "The Historical Origins and Development of Racism." PBS. California
Newsreel, 2003. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
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Wood, Daniel. “Why a Man Who Knows Racism Fights Affirmative Action.” Christian Science
Monitor 1 March 1996. 23 March 2014 Web

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