Affirmative action, the policy itself, derived from the Civil Rights Movement in the 60’s. The government and society as a whole sought to decrease the level of discrimination in education (and the workforce). Affirmative action was a way to ensure diversity and level the playing field for higher education. In the early 1960’s only 4% of college students was African American. Therefore, it was commonly thought that something must be done to ensure that admission offices did not discriminate against minorities. However, in the 21st century, society’s common view that affirmative action is needed has decreased. Many feel that discrimination no longer exists in the world of academia. It is thought that affirmative action has run its course and then some. At this point, where discrimination against minorities is not an issue, whites have become the target for discrimination against the highly regarded diverse student body. Some claim affirmative action has only increased race consciousness in society. However there is still the idea that minorities will digress back if this policy is outlawed. One Supreme Court Judge believes that more time is necessary before affirmative action is not required to ensure equality. The differing ideals on affirmative action will only end once an example is set. An example would mean an outlaw of affirmative action by a Supreme Court ruling, giving proof that, more than likely, affirmative action is not needed to keep admissions for minorities. More specifically, if applications did not allow race to be documented and other criteria, like legacy, to be put on the application, then no one could debate that race was a factor in higher education. In other words, policy will be crucial to end the debate on affirmative action as no university or college will want to be the one to denounce affirmative action, for fear of seeming racist.
This is a really good theory you have developed. I believe that the affirmative action policy is not needed anymore because race is not nearly as big of an issue in America as it used to be. There are always going to be some racist people but I think most people are treating everyone equally. I can see where people may think that race is a factor in higher education. Colleges love to create diversity within their campus. I don't think that it is the deciding factor on admitting someone to a college though. I think it would be a good idea to just remove the race section from college applications anyways. I know a lot of people that just left that section blank because it is not required. I believe it was thirty-something percent of applicants left that section blank on their college applications. You ended on a really good note by bringing up the idea that a college isn't going to want to be the first to denounce affirmative action because they are afraid of seeming racist. I would probably feel the same way. It could really hurt a college's reputation. Then again, it could be good because then maybe a lot of other colleges would denounce affirmative action. Good post!
ReplyDeleteCertainly if a college denounced affirmative action, others would potentially follow suit. However, like you said, the reputation is at stake. Many of those who are for affirmative action would potentially claim that a university was in some form or other racist. In turn this could lessen the number of minorities who apply, therefore the university would look as if affirmative action was the only policy creating diversity on its campus. This potential affect causes universities to retain the use of affirmative action. However, in my opinion, denouncing affirmative action and race based practices would show a drive to eliminate any discrimination and create higher education of true equality. Universities should be regarded as such and looked at positively. Though this is my belief, I doubt this will happen. It will take a policy and law to stop this social movement in its tracks.
ReplyDelete