The Negative Consequences of Affirmative Action

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The Negative Consequences of Affirmative Action

For the past thirty years, affirmative action has been an integral part of the admissions policy at the University of California. However, successful challenges in the U. S. Court system have recently scrutinized the morality and legality of affirmative action practices. As a result, many institutions of higher learning are revising their present policies. One such change was recently initiated at the University of California when the Board of Regents voted to abolish the use of affirmative action in their admissions policy.

Burdman (1997) presented a historical overview of Ward Connerly’s position on affirmative action and his campaign to have the University of California admissions be based on a color-blind application. Also reviewed were the results of the decision to abolish affirmative action. “The Long GoodBye” covered five main points: SP-1 and Connerly’s accompanying ideas; maintaining diversity; administration’s new ideas; SP-1 guidelines; and the resulting consquences.

Burdman defined SP-1 and presented an outline of Connerly’s idea to treat UC’s admission policy in the same manner as real estate licenses and the state bar exam -identified solely by social security numbers (1,2). Burdman discussed the challenges that would make color-blind admissions a seemingly insurmountable task, i.e. changing application forms and eliminating personal essays so hints to a persons’ background would not be revealed (2). UC wants to have their campuses reflect the state’s diversity and with the abolishment of affirmative action the balance would shift due to academically unqualified minorities. This diversity is necessary for UC to receive federal money (6).

Burdman outlin...

... middle of paper ...

...rence” People tend to distrust the black professional not knowing if favoritism or knowledge earned their degree (Bearak 20). Without affirmative action, every person at UC will deserve to be there and can take pride in their accomplishment.

Works Cited:

Bearak, Barry. ((1997, July 27). “Between Black and White: Questions of Race Run Deep for Foe of Preference.” New York Times NATIONAL, pp. 1,20.

Burdman, Pamela. “The Long Goodbye.” LINGUA FRANCE (June/July 1997): 15pp. Online. Internet. <http://www.linguafranca.com/9706/burdman.htm 11 July, 1997.>

Hernandez, Roger. “The End of The End of Affirmative Action” (1995): 2pp. Online. Internet. <http://www.latinolink.com/opinion/rog1126.html 11 July 1997.>

Lynch, Michael. “Still Choosing by Color” (6 May, 1996): 15 pp. Online. Internet. <http://www.empower.org/claremont/gsp/gsp51.htm 11 July 1997.>

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