Affirmative Action + 5 Political Stances

Affirmative Action was put in place in 1964 in order to combat the institutional racism in America. Some people feel that this system does a great job of addressing racism in the higher education system and the workplace. Others feel that the system gives minorities an unfair leg up in life. Moderates feel that the Affirmative Action is needed but the current system has flaws that need to be fixed. Affirmative Action gives those in unfavorable conditions a chance to succeed. No human made system is perfect and neither is Affirmative action. However, without it many people would be kept from getting a quality education and finding a decent job.

One of the best ways students try to get ahead in their education is through the Advanced Placement program. These programs are less likely to be offered at schools with large proportions of minority students. Therefore, minorities are disadvantaged when it comes to admissions decisions. Universities put minorities at an automatic disadvantage because they don’t have the GPA nor the opportunity to take AP courses. This would keep minorities from being able to enter the higher education system even though more of them are trying to achieve a higher education.

Federal figures show that minorities comprise 47 percent of the 2011 class as compared to one-third in 1996. Minorities constitute over 36 percent of the total population and are on track to make up the majority of the youth before 2020. Minorities are being steered away from the most selective colleges in the nations. The African-American and Hispanic population at community colleges has increased from one-fifth to one-third from 1994 to 2006. In four-year schools rated least selective, the population increased from one-sixth to two-fifths in the same time frame. At the same time, whites plummeted as a share of all high school seniors, but still constitute 75 percent of students in the most selective schools, a small difference from 78 percent in 1994.

Affirmative Action was established in order to open doors for minorities historically discriminated against. The more diversity there is in the workforce and higher education system, the better America can be changed for the better. The challenge of inequality in higher education needs more responses. Affirmative Action is a great start in order to help minorities; but currently, it is not enough. In addition, community colleges need to be improved to improve social mobility. The quality of education would help those for whom community college is the best chance they have for higher education.  

Democrats support the policy of Affirmative Action. They believe it is a necessary action in order to redress discrimination. This helps achieve a diversity all Americans benefit from. Similarly, the Green party supports Affirmative action. One of their key values is respect for diversity. They believe that Affirmative action helps people confront the barriers of racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.

Republicans believe Affirmative Action forces employers and schools to accept lesser qualified individuals in order to have a more diverse representation. For this reason, the party has often fought to repeal Affirmative Action legislation. However, they still want to maintain a merit based system within schools and the workforce. Republicans support the effort to help low-income individuals get a fair chance based on their potential and individual merit. However, they reject preferences, quotas, and set-asides and the methods through which fairness can be achieved. Libertarians also believe the Affirmative action policy is flawed because it gives minorities a higher edge than white counterparts. The Constitution party also disagrees with Affirmative Action because it is inconsistent with the principles of liberty and the free market.

Works Cited

Brownstein, Ronald. "As Nonwhites Gain in Numbers, Improving Their Education Benefits Society."College Admissions. Ed. Dedria Bryfonski. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2015. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "Why This Affirmative Action Debate Is Different." National Journal Daily (30 May 2013). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.

"Democratic Views On Affirmative Action." Republican Views on the Issues. N.p., 30 July 2015. Web. 15 Nov. 2015. <http://www.republicanviews.org/democratic-views-on-affirmative-action/>.   

"Green Party on Civil Rights." Green Party on Civil Rights. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015. <http://www.ontheissues.org/Celeb/Green_Party_Civil_Rights.htm>.

"Libertarian Viewpoint on Affirmative Action." Libertarian Viewpoint RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015. <http://libertarianviewpoint.com/blog/libertarian-viewpoint-on-affirmative-action/>.

Pachon, Harry P. "Affirmative Action Should Not Be Eliminated." Racism. Ed. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "Q: Has the Passage of Proposition 209 Been Good for California? No: This Measure Only Has Served to Stifle Talent in the State's Barrios and Ghettos." Insight 17 (16 July 2001): 41-43. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.

"Platform of the Constitution Party of Oregon." Platform of the Constitution Party of Oregon. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015. <http://www.constitutionpartyoregon.com/platform_of_the_constitution_par.htm>.

"Republican Views On Affirmative Action." Republican Views on the Issues. Republicanviews.org, 31 July 2015. Web. 15 Nov. 2015. <http://www.republicanviews.org/republican-views-on-affirmative-action/>.