Arguments for and Against Affirmative Action

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Every year at the same time, thousands of students face the same difficult decision: What college should I attend? Consider two young men both of the highest intellectual capacity and deserving of admission into the nation's most prestigious institution. Steven, high school All American, student body President, and leader of the debate team, hopes to be admitted to the university of his dreams. Christopher, most valuable player in the high school division and aspiring NBA athlete, wants to attend college with students of the same caliber. Steven's parents are both successful neurosurgeons at the local hospital planning to see to it that their son is awarded recognition for his efforts. Christopher's mother, unemployed and unable to care for her family, is optimistic that her son will succeed regardless. Now, the university has a tough decision to make. Christopher receives his letter, thanking him for applying but denying his admission, encouraging him to apply at a later date. After all, Christopher is white and, according to Affirmative Action, Steven is more deserving of admission based on his ethnicity which "increases the diversity of the institution by allowing students of different races and cultures the same opportunities."(1) But does it?

Affirmative Action, a remedy that federal courts used to impose on violators of the Civil Rights Act, was originally introduced in 1961 by President Lyndon Johnson to counteract years of mistreatment that minorities faced. The definition, which has also been under fire from all debating sides denotes that it is a program that aims to "overcome the effects of past societal discrimination by allocating jobs and resources to members of specific groups, such as minorities and women."(2)...

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...portunities to defy injustice. Is it fair to ignore a student's merit and admit him to a university just to meet quotas? Is it fair to give a position to a less qualified individual simply because it aids diversity? Is it fair to pretend as if all is equal and ignore specific cries for help?

Society must take a stand in a positive direction because, at this point, the nation's opinion is at a standstill. Whether the decision is to expand Affirmative Action programs, or dispose of them, something must be done. Is it more important to diversify a nation, or to give credit where credit is due?

Sources Cited

University of California Admissions Statement, 1998-2000

www.Encyclopedia.com

United States Constitution, revision 1788, 14th Amendment-Section One

Theory of Justice, John Rawls

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