Affirmative Action

12 Pages 3099 Words

n among all Americans; the problem still exists as an ongoing battle. It forces colleges and business to adhere to quotas, still discriminating against the best-qualified individual- whoever they may be. I think there may be a better way to obtain equality for all people in America. And that is why I choose to remain neutral in this discrepancy (Ladies.35) It is difficult for me to choose a definite side. Because of affirmative action being present, the government has introduced quotas and criteria in considering job applicants and on college applications. In a sense, that lowers the standards for all the other qualified non-minorities who apply. However, without affirmative action, I feel that by some subliminal discrimination, the number of minorities may significantly decline. This is because all people are guilty of some form of discrimination- whether we realize it or not. Twenty years ago, women could not have held some of the jobs or had the opportunities available for us today. But a woman will still receive lower wages to a man holding her same job (Ladies 36). This is encouraging to me, yet discouraging at the same time. Racial differences are also an issue. From my own personal past experience, I had a friend that worked for a man who owned a restaurant. By no fault of her own, she could not get to work on time one day. When she called to let her boss know the situation as to why she would be a little late, the man told her not to bother coming at all. I can't help but feel that because she was black, she was discriminated against. However, my friend may have been fired for other reasons as well. It is one thing to deny someone the right to a job because of their physical or mental disability; some individuals simply cannot do the work that is offered. But when there are no prominent disabilities, one does wonder why people act the way they do toward anyone whose appearance looks different. Since being introduced to the colle...