The Effects that Affirmative Action Has Had on Past and Future Endeavors of Minorities in the United States

There are many supporters and opponents of Affirmative Action. The focus of Affirmative action is meant to be an attempt at equality throughout society. Every sector in America would be equal and unprejudiced. On the other hand, adopting affirmative action would force many employers to replace hard-working employees with those possibly less qualified simply due to their gender or ethnicity. Throughout history, people have been categorized into different groups. These groupings were based on certain characteristics people shared, whether it was their ethnicity, race, gender, or religion. Society is notorious for distinguishing among different groups and favoring one or two of them. Undoubtedly, this separation of peoples, led to increased tension between various groups. As time progressed, the conflicts intensified, and it became apparent that a change was necessary. So I intend to educate the reader on the origin of Affirmative Action; how it impacted the American society; is it still needed in today’s environment; what are some of the drawbacks or issues that came from implementing Affirmative Action, and finally what is the most beneficial aspect from Affirmative Action. One of the most famous quotes about Affirmative Action comes from President Lyndon Johnson who explained the rationale behind the use of affirmative action to achieve equal opportunity in a 1965 speech: “You do not take a person, who for years, has been hobbled by chains and liberate him, bring

The African Americans, experienced for many centuries was very poorly in fact that they treated unfairly. In the communities today African Americans are targeted by their color of their skin. The police brutality towards black people is tremendously horrifying. The population of prisons in the U.S

July 6, 1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson signs The Civil Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination and mentions the use of “affirmative action to overcome the effects of prior discrimination.”

Affirmative action legislation in the United States has its basic framework in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which mandates that firms with more than 15 employees are subject to a variety of anti-discrimination policies, more of which were passed in subsequent years. In some cases, the concept of affirmative action was taken to be a voluntary act to attain diversity. For the most part, however, courts have interpreted affirmative action laws as having little teeth under the Constitution. It has been suggested that "racial preferences in federal law or policy are a remedy of last resort" (Dale, 2005)

John F. Kennedy’s national convention forces created a party platform that called for “equal access [to] … voting booths, schoolhouses, jobs, housing and public facilities.” Kennedy also called for “affirmative action” and issued executive order 10925 so that applicants and employees would not be discriminated against due to race. Four years later, Lyndon B. Johnson issued Executive Order 11246, which enabled the newly created Office of Federal Contract Compliance of the Department of Labor to terminate government contracts with firms that did not practice "affirmative action" . He would later sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964, banning discrimination based on race, colour, religion or sex. Political leaders raising awareness of Black rights encouraged Americans to pay attention towards the

As a minority Roberto Santiago’s essay Black and Latino reveals that even though he has been generally underrepresented by his ethnicity, he has led a successful life without affirmative action. Since Santiago was both African American and Hispanic he dealt with identity issues and stereotypes throughout his adolescent life. Even though affirmative action is supposed to make attempts to improve opportunities for groups that were historically excluded it is still a form of discrimination itself. The preference of one race over another is discrimination despite the fact if the group is gaining benefits. Contemporary society still takes on the controversial debate over affirmative action in educational institutions and employment. Institutions are still pressured to accept more minorities even if they do not meet the full requirements such as in education or in employment. Racial preferences stigmatize minority groups instead of finding better ways to make opportunities equal to minorities. Affirmative action also implies that all minority groups need more assistance in order to succeed, but according to Santiago he triumphed without needing compensation. In educational institutions such as universities they are influenced by affirmative action; since they admit students based on race instead of looking for their qualifications. Even though affirmative action is supposed to create diversity in schools it does not help if minority students are not prepared for a higher

handle the aspects ofa civilized life any longer, so his only recourse is to run away.

The words "affirmative action" were first recorded in law in the year 1961 under the presidency of John F. Kennedy. Congress passed Executive Order 10925 instructing federal contractors to take "affirmative action to ensure that applicants are treated equally without regard to race, color,

The US is a melting pot with various groups of immigration such as: Asian American, Jewish American, African American, and Mexican Ame. Minority groups have experienced many kinds of segregation. They are discriminated in education and employment. Then, a program called “Affirmative Action” was introduced with the hope to engage more people of color into the society.

Affirmative action sprung up from the Civil Rights movement of the 1950 's/60 's. It was first used as an executive order from President Kennedy in 1961. In 1964, the Civil Right Act banned discrimination based on race, sex, religion or national origin. A year later, President Johnson made an affirmative action policy and said that affirmative action is a way to compensate for slavery ("Affirmative Action" 2016). Minorities were excepted into universities to

The affirmative action movement began in 1960 with the intention of promoting opportunities for minority groups. How is that in the year 2015 we are still having discussions about women and minorities being discriminated against? While the movement of the 1960’s has brought attention to discrepancy against groups, which has paved the platform for reform and opportunity, there is a break down in the movement if 55 years later there is still discrepancy thereby suggesting a resign of the efforts of the movement may be needed. Do I agree with affirmative action? I am a female. I’m a college graduate with an earned bachelor’s degree. I am enrolled in schooling to

The African American experience is one that is quite different from other racial/ ethnic groups. The majority of the first African American came over, unwillingly, on ships from various African countries. They were brought to America by white, European settlers to be used as slaves in an order to plant and harvest their crops and make money for the white man. This racial group was treated as if they were property and not people. However, with the ending of the American Civil War, African Americans gained freedom, freedom that not all white American were quite ready to handle. After gaining their freedom came the need for education, jobs and suffrage rights. Now in America this racial group has come a long way, having elected its first African American present for two terms, yet still there are many issues that are very prevalent. This racial group has been fighting their way to equality since the birth of this nation. African Americans have experienced an array of conflict, violence, stereotypes, prejudice acts, and discrimination against them throughout their history in America.

    As a man is captured, his first instinct is to try and break free from his shackles and chains. Primal urges such as this often accompany humans when they are forced, as in capture, to rely on their most basic instincts to survive.

There’s no escape, the man thinks. I need to get away from here. I need to be free of this stone-hearted harpy.

“Allah Allah, there are some among us who have been freed from this prison three times and I have for the past 50 years this rope around my neck; neither this rope breaks nor it takes my life.”