Fairness of Affirmative Action Programs

"Affirmative action" refers to efforts to redress imbalances in the workplace, university, or other institution by actively seeking out candidates who have traditionally been excluded, such as members of racial minorities and women. In the past, certain Americans have been excluded from full participation in the American economy. Racial discrimination and sexual discrimination are the two primary reasons for this. Even if we assume that such discrimination has been eliminated, it is believed that special efforts need to be taken to make up for past sins. Affirmative action is a way of seeking out candidates from previously excluded groups and may include preferential treatment in order to elevate minority candidates above other candidates in order to achieve some form of racial or gender balance. The goal is admirable, but the means can lead to conflict and to a system in which excellence is not the primary criterion for advancement. Critics charge that this is precisely what has happened. They also charge that affirmative action has in fact been damaging to the very minorities it has been intended to help, but this conclusion in incorrect. In fact, affirmative action has been good for minorities and has provided them with opportunities they otherwise would not have had.

The primary argument swirling around affirmative action programs has concerned the fairness of such programs. Proponents of affirmative action state that certain

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merica, too. . . Of the current generation of whites, many have never seen as "For Whites Only" sign. On the contrary, they see discrimination visited on themselves and, having faith in their own racial innocence, they do not see why they should be penalized for what somebody's great-grandfather may have done to somebody else's great-grandfather (Zuckerman 112). Again, such frustration has little to do with any perception of the success or failure of affirmative action in its role of aiding minorities. Yet the issue of whether affirmative action is helpful or harmful has become an important part of this debate. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION HARMS MINORITIES Another argument given a good deal of attention, however, has asked whether affirmative action programs are good for the minorities they are intended to serve. A number of commentators have claimed that they are not and that they foster a spirit of dependence when what is needed is a sense of independence and self-worth. This has been raised by some as a troubling aspect of affirmative action policies. Wycliff notes that affirmative action raises doubts about the legitimacy of the achievements of beneficiaries, not merely in the minds of white males but also in the minds of blac

Category: Government - F