Pros And Cons Of Race-Based Affirmative Action Programs
In 2012, twelve million 18-25 year olds were enrolled in college in the United States (Krogstad par. 2). These students went through extensive processes to earn admittance. Some students, however, may have received an additional advantage due to nothing they could control. This advantage comes through race-based affirmative action programs. Race-based affirmative action programs are outdated and should be discontinued. The programs focus too much on surface differences in race, instead of the more important socioeconomic class issues. Affirmative action was established after the Civil Rights movement in an attempt to racially integrate the workplace and schools. The topic was debated in a Supreme Court case, Regents of the University of California …show more content…
No real benefit to students admitted under affirmative action programs exists, as these students often struggle to meet standards. This idea is part of the mismatch theory (Sander 4). Even though African American students are more likely to start college than white students from similar backgrounds, white students are less likely to drop out, and therefore, more likely to graduate (Sanders 4). Improper matching of students ability with rigor of a school causes this phenomenon. In order to meet racial admission quotas, a school may admit a student who does not necessarily meet all the requirements. These students have the potential to succeed, but quickly become discouraged in the demanding programs (Sander 6). Use of an affirmative action program “tantalizes unprepared students with the promise of a [...] degree and all of the opportunities that it offers,” (Justice Powell qtd. in Chingos par. 3). This tendency of such a program to actually hurt those it attempts to help, means that the program should not be used. When California voters realized this, they passed Proposition 209. Proposition 209, a ban on affirmative action passed in 1996, resulted in improved graduation rates (Chingos par. 5). This increase is due to better matching of students with schools. Since the banning of affirmative action programs in California schools increased graduation rates, other states should follow this example. Although this occurs, some may say that affirmative action programs are still necessary to make up for years of discrimination and unequal
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721 Words | 3 PagesThe U.S. Supreme Court Case Regents of the University of California v. Allan Bakke was officially decided June 28, 1978. The case addressed the issue of use of affirmative action in university admissions processes. Affirmative action, also referred to as positive discrimination, was a result of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and was intended to ensure equal entry to educational institutions or employment entities to certain groups that “have historically suffered invidious discrimination” (Janda et al., 477). However, sometimes this method causes discrimination of other groups, through establishment of racial quotas. University of California employed the process of affirmative action and instituted racial quotas in its admissions
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845 Words | 4 Pages“Affirmative Action may not be a perfect system, but there should be no doubt that it has endangered many successes. It has opened the doors of America’s most elite educational institutions to minority students, granting them unprecedented opportunities” (Ogletree 12). Thanks to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson a policy that prohibits employment and education discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, and sex is offered today to those who suffer from said discriminations (A Brief History). Affirmative action has opened abundant openings for minorities, allowing the cycle of going to college to be passed down generations and provided job opportunities that otherwise would not be considered by most. Affirmative
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1011 Words | 5 PagesAffirmative action has become obsolete in today’s society. Affirmative action is an active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women; also: a similar effort to promote the rights or progress of other disadvantaged persons (Merriam-Webster, 2011). Today’s affirmative action will demoralize the very concepts that the policy was implemented to uphold: those of equality for all people regardless of color and discrimination. This policy supports racial multiplicity at the price of distinction, impartiality and experience; it also follows the line of reverse discrimination and sexual bias against white men (Reyna, Tucker, Korfmacher, & Henry, 2005).
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