Time to Put an End to Affirmative Action
Affirmative action is the set of public policies and initiatives designed to help eliminate past and present discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This "set of public policies" has had quite a history beginning with the Thirteenth Amendment, which made slavery illegal. The Thirteenth Amendment was followed by the Fourteenth, that guarantees equal protection under the law. The Fifteenth Amendment brought up the rear, which forbids racial discrimination in access to voting. When affirmative action was set into place during the 1960's it was needed and very necessary. Although in history the need for affirmative action is obvious, it has reached the point where minorities are given unfair advantages. Although the public and the Supreme Court recognize the need to put an end to affirmative action, the federal government is still funding studies of the topic. Not surprisingly, these studies, through the statistical manipulation of data, conclude that affirmative action must continue.
Statement of the Problem
Ever since affirmative action was started in the 1960's there has been constant debate about its validity. It has gotten to the point where minorities are given preferential treatment, especially in the areas of employment and education. Granted, minorities still do earn less per dollar than the majority, but giving them preferential treatment, thereby denying the proverbial white male a fair chance is not the way to bring about equality.
History
In 1896, in the Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson upheld the "separate, but equal" concept which was only in theory, not in actual practice. That decision signified the end of the...
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The Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896) ‘equal but separate’ decision robbed it of its meaning and confirmed this wasn’t the case as the court indicated this ruling did not violate black citizenship and did not imply superior and inferior treatment ,but it indeed did as it openly permitted racial discrimination in a landmark decision of a 8-1 majority ruling, it being said was controversial, as white schools and facilities received near to more than double funding than black facilities negatively contradicted the movement previous efforts on equality and maintaining that oppression on
In 1896, the Supreme Court was introduced with a case that not only tested both levels of government, state and federal, but also helped further establish a precedent that it was built off of. This court case is commonly known as the case that confirmed the doctrine “separate but equal”. This doctrine is a crucial part of our Constitution and more importantly, our history. This court case involved the analysis of amendments, laws, and divisions of power. Plessy v. Ferguson was a significant court case in U.S history because it was shaped by federalism and precedent, which were two key components that were further established and clarified as a result of the Supreme Court’s final decision.
The Plessy v Ferguson case would be overturned, ruling the “separate but equal” law to be unconstitutional. Melba Beals was in school that day and was sent home early with the warning to hurry and stay in groups. Even so, it had been decades since the passing of the Fourteenth Amendment. No much had changed. Melba’s teacher knew that this ruling would cause rage among the citizens of Little Rock and she was right.
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...
Homer Plessy vs. the Honorable John H. Ferguson ignited the spark in our nation that ultimately led to the desegregation of our schools, which is shown in the equality of education that is given to all races across the country today. “The Plessy decision set the precedent that ‘separate’ facilities for blacks and whites were constitutional as long as they were ‘equal’” (“The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow”). The case of Plessy vs. Ferguson not only illuminated the racial inequality within our education system, but also brought to light how the standard of ‘separate but equal’ affected every aspect of African American lives.
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.
Plessy vs Ferguson was a case in which it stated a precedent. In 1892, an African American named Homer Plessy did not give up his seat to a white man("HISTORY OF BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION"). He then got arrested and taken to jail. Plessy than went to the Supreme Court to argue that his Fourteenth Amendment was violated. However, the Supreme Court ruled against Plessy and set the precedent that “separate but equal” is really equal("HISTORY OF BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION") .
“Separate is not equal.” In the case of Plessey vs. Ferguson in 1896 the U.S. Supreme Court said racial segregation didn’t violate the Constitution, so racial segregation became legal. In 1954 the case of Oliver Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka this case proved that separate is not equal. Oliver Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka was revolutionary to the education system, because colored people and Caucasians had segregated schools. The Caucasians received a better education and the colored people argued that they were separate but not equal. This would pave the way for integrated schools and change the education system as we knew it.
The issue of affirmative action has been a controversial one since its inception. The law was developed during the 1960’s as a result of the civil rights movement and the need to address injustices committed against minorities throughout the United States history. There were multiple attempts to correct the inequities between the majority and the various minorities including the 13, 14 and 15th Amendments. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 allowed for the creation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to create rules to end discrimination. Affirmative action came into being with the executive order 11246 issued by President Johnson. The Civil Rights Act and President Johnson’s executive order have been updated throughout the years to address gender, disabilities, age and other characteristics that could be considered discriminatory.
...rch 17, 1954 the Supreme Court overturned the “separate but equal” that was implied by Plessy v. Ferguson. The brown decision inspired many civil rights movements and marches throughout the 1950’s and 60’s. It also opened the doors to many great civil right activist such as Rosa Parks, and MLK to continue to fight for equality for all regardless of skin color. As the years pass, desegregation continued and improved many public school systems. In our recent cases of segregation, many people would argue for another Brown case. Black students today are slowly closing the achievement gap and are receiving better employment and career options. Many would say that we as a society are still separate, and unequal. Overall, the Brown decision teaches us that the struggle for equality is never over. It teaches that as society we must continue to guard our freedoms every day.
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“To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” by Rober Herrick and Andrew Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress” have many similarities and differences. The tone of the speakers, the audience each poem is directed to, and the theme make up some of the literary elements that help fit this description.
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As with any political topic, there are those who oppose affirmative action. Some of them argue that people should be chosen based on merit and not by race or gender. (www.civil-rights.lawyers.com) In response to this, I would encourage those who use this argument to re-evaluate the true definition of affirmative action. The policies call for all who are qualified to have an equal chance, the key part of this being qualified, affirmative action is not in place to give any individual a “free ride.”