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Affirmative action in the arguments for and against
Affirmative action policies
Affirmative action policies
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Diversity Paper
The advancement of the United States as a multicultural nation has also created the evolution of public administration. The introduction of new cultures, race, and ethnic diversities has created adjustments to the creation of public programs and services. In particular, affirmative action is the single factor that is stimulating public programs and services relating to racial and ethnic diversity. There isn’t any area in public administration which is not influenced by policy and laws governed by affirmative action.
Affirmative action is defined as the body of laws and policies, which decrease the effects of discrimination. The intention of Affirmative action is to establish an equal opportunity for individuals, which have previously conflicted with prejudice. The eligibility of affirmative action is based on race, ethnicity, and gender. In addition, affirmative action policies are established to create employment and educational possibilities for both minorities and women. In fact, there are some companies, which require an affirmative action plan. However, this rule only applies to businesses, which employ over 15 individuals or conduct federal contracts. Businesses that fall into the criteria are required to write and abide by this plan. In order to measure effectiveness, the affirmative action plan must follow particular goals and preferences established to balance irregularities in ethnic, racial, and gender populations of an organization. Neglecting to follow the rules of affirmative action could lead to the loss of government contracts or worse.
It is also important to acknowledge that all public sectors are governed by affirmative action. This basically translates to every agency and bureau being oblige...
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... policy is expected to be more influential that affirmative action as the years goes by and the US population further increases in immigrants and nonwhite citizens. Furthermore, once the demographic alters in such a manner, public administrators will have a new list of challenges in front of them.
References
Bennett-Alexander, D, & Hartman, L (2007). Employment law for business. New York,
NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Gross, B (2008). What Federal, State or Local Laws Apply to Your Employees?
Retrieved from http://www.allbusiness.com/legal/laws-government-regulations- employment/11331-1.html
PPS (2008). Personnel Policy Service, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.ppspublishers.com/articles/gl/aap_who_needs.htm#Court-Ordered%20Plans Slack, J.D. Affirmative Action and Merit in Public Administration The American Review of Public Administration December 1988 vol. 18
3.The term Affirmative action has played a huge role in the past one hundred years of American politics. It is simply defined as an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer. Civil Rights of American citizens have drastically changed because of Affirmative action. With almost anything in politics, there is a debate for and against Affirmative action. Supporters of this say that this helps encourage e...
The Affirmative Action Law was formed as a solution to the long history of animosity towards minorities, and to eradicate the segregation between minorities and majorities. The program certainly aided many of disadvantage people living in the United States. The Affirmative Action encouraged many individuals, particularly, women, and group of people that belongs to different ethnic groups to have hopes and dreams due to the fair chance that were being given by the program. However, even though the Affirmative Action Law’s aim is to provide equal human rights for all the citizens of the United States, there will always be a group of people who will oppose, because each individuals’ have different notion and needs.
Self proclaimed philosopher, english writer, and novelist Aldous Huxley wrote the book Brave New World. One of the issues in the novel is how uniform the society is. There is no diversity in the in Brave New World. Huxley carefully examined on why society is the way it is. He wants the audience to understand the philosophy of a unique society different from a normal society.
Affirmative action programs may or may not have been appropriate in times past where inequalities were prevalent and programs to build diversity were mandated. In the United States today, where law bars discrimination, I feel employment opportunities should be based on merit and not on race, sex or any other preconceived notion. Actively recruiting candidates that do not meet minimum requirements or standards is counterproductive to any agency that strives to serve the public in an efficient and effective manner and further erode confidence in government.
Our book opens us up to the world of diversity and inequality in the United States. It presses on issues about groups that hold superiority towards inferior groups for multiple reasons. In “Imagine our country” our book blatantly calls out America’s problems and how we in some cases are only increasing the chances of them continuing. It helps define the differences between racism and discrimination, which I never thought about enough to distinguish before taking this class. These chapters also offer hope and ways to combat these differences, because while we may be stuck in a social loop-hole there are available ways to challenge these and make society aware of changes and in act upon them!
Affirmative action is a label for a large range of programs, but all of these methods began for one reason: as a way to fight racism. There were voluntary efforts and mandatory laws enacted in order to accomplish this feat (Wu par 6). It was begun under President Johnson with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and was followed by his Executive Order 11246, both of which emphasized the fair treatment and employment of minorities. Two years later, women were added to the list. Today affirmative action benefits women, racial and ethnic groups, and the physically, mentally or emotionally disabled to the detriment of white males (“affirmative action” par 1). Due to affirmative action’s efforts, doors have been opened allowing for the equalizing of opportunity in the United States, seen in the types of people working in places such as police and fire departments, as w...
According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, affirmative action is “an active effort to improve employment or educational opportunities for members of minority groups and women.” However, despite its well-intentioned policies, it has been the source of much controversy over the years. Barbara Scott and Mary Ann Schwartz mention that “proponents of affirmative action argue that given that racism and discrimination are systemic problems, their solutions require institutional remedies such as those offered by affirmative action legislation” (298). Also, even though racism is no longer direct, indirect forms still exist in society and affirmative action helps direct. On the other hand, opponents to affirm...
Subconscious prejudices, self-segregation, political correctness, reverse discrimination, and ignorance all wade in the pool of opinions surrounding affirmative action and racial animosity. With racial tensions ever present in this country, one might question whether the problems can be solved by affirmative action.
The government thinks that implementing affirmative action will repair inequality, but it cannot. In the midst of tying to promote equality, they are promoting discrimination. Discrimination is the violation of one’s human rights based on gender, sex, race, ethnicity and/or relation. President Johnson felt that blacks being free and able to go to the same school as Caucasians were not just enough for the past discrimination and turmoil the African Americans went through. Affirmative action was used as a cure to remedy lost times. Sandal made some valid points; he noted that th...
The problem is determining if a person’s ability and character is devalued due to this preference for minority groups. Affirmative action is often abused when people use their ethnicity rather than workmanship or skill level to receive a job or college opportunity. Through the years after President John F. Kennedy first introduced affirmative action, there has not been significant steps toward equality of the races in the workplace or schools. Therefore, new actions and plans should be put in place to help solve this on-going
Today there is considerable disagreement in the country over Affirmative Action with the American people. MSNBC reported a record low in support for Affirmative Action with 45% in support and 45% opposing (Muller, 2013). The affirmative action programs have afforded all genders and races, exempting white males, a sense of optimism and an avenue to get the opportunities they normally would not be eligible for. This advantage includes admission in colleges or hiring preferences with public and private jobs; although Affirmative Action has never required quotas the government has initiated a benefits program for the schools and companies that elect to be diversified. The advantages that are received by the minorities’ only take into account skin color, gender, disability, etc., are what is recognized as discriminatory factors. What is viewed as racism to the majority is that there ar...
The Hispanic diversity of the United States has been well documented in immigration. and population numbers for many years. In 1994, there were 26.4 million Hispanics. Americans living in the Continental United States. In 2005 that number had ballooned to over 35 million.
Diversity is a must have when it comes to colleges and universities. Diversity is what separates the good universities from the great universities. Universities that have diversity help out their students more than anyone could imagine. It help students get ready to open up and understand one another on a more personal level. Some students grow up in segregated towns where there is not much diversity, but with the help of diversity from colleges, students will learn to learn and accept one another. It would be fresh new start for all of the students to learn about each other and their similarities and differences. The information college students could learn from someone that is from another culture is a great prize and will be remembered for the rest of their lives. “Diversity will further strengthen the United States as new minds with new views are added to the society. This is true of the country’s universities and colleges, as well”(Milligan).
Affirmative action has been the topic of debate for many years. It has been controversial because it has been said to be a form of reverse discrimination. This paper will discuss the purpose behind affirmative action, as well as, its various strengths and weaknesses. Also, this paper will look at the following issues surrounding affirmative action such as the incompetency myth ( are companies hiring less qualified people?), the impact on employment (what has changed in the work place?), the impact on women (how have their lives changed?) and the impact on employment law (what documents back up affirmative action?). Lastly, a discussion of affirmative action on an international scale, and what international documents have to say about the topic. The purpose of this paper is to bring to light all the issues, and then make an educated statement of whether affirmative action is a worthwhile activity or if there is a better solution.
The issue of diversity in the public sector goes beyond noticeably visible differences, and expands to areas such as culture and population changes. Public leaders manage diversity not only to meet legal obligations, but as a method to improve governance, decision making, efficiency and performance. The role of diversity in public administration is to aid leaders in providing equal opportunities to all employees and stakeholders with in the public sector. Demographic changes are inevitable therefore public agencies can benefit from implementing a diverse workforce by drawing on talent from the widest possible pool. Likewise, by placing diversity at the forefront of policy making, public leaders can attract a diverse array of stakeholders.