Do We Still Need Affirmative Action?

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  “Opponents Mis-Characterize Affirmative Action”

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Opponents Mis-Characterize Affirmative Action

American Association for Affirmative Action

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Affirmative Action refers to positive steps aimed at increasing the inclusion of historically excluded groups in employment, education and business. 

ARE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION GOALS INTENDED TO ACHIEVE PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION OR EQUAL RESULTS?
Not at all. Numerical goals do not create guarantees for specific groups or preferences, nor are they designed to achieve proportional representation or equal results.

DOES AFFIRMATIVE ACTION REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO HIRE OR PROMOTE WOMEN OR MINORITIES ON THE BASIS OF RACE OR SEX?
Absolutely not. No requirement exists that any specific position be filled by a person of a particular race, gender or ethnicity. By casting a wider net and recruiting a diverse pool of qualified individuals, an affirmative action employer eliminates preferences and levels the playing field for all. The essence of affirmative action is opportunity.

DOES AFFIRMATIVE ACTION CONFLICT WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF MERIT?
No. In seeking to achieve its goals, an employer is never required to hire a person who does not have the qualifications needed to perform the job successfully. Affirmative action prevents discrimination; it does not cause it.

SHOULD GOALS BE TREATED AS A CEILING OR A FLOOR?
Neither. The law does not require that contractors treat goals as either a ceiling or a floor for the employment of particular groups.

ISN'T AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ONLY A RACE ISSUE?
No. Affirmative Action programs benefit women, persons with disabilities and veterans as well.

Affirmative Action is preventive, proactive and inclusive.

Affirmative Action removes preferences and other barriers.

Affirmative Action evens the playing field and promotes true equality in the workplace.

 

 

Next Argument

"We Need Affirmative Action" AAAA

• Affirmative Action is Necessary
  0
• Diversity is a Compelling State Interest
  0
• Discrimination Continues to Exist
  1
• To End Racism We Must Take Account of Race
  0
• Eliminating Race Does Not Benefit Whites
  0
• Opponents Mis-Characterize Affirmative Action
  1
• Dr. Martin Luther King Would Have Supported Affirmative Action
  0
• The Changing Demographics Call for Affirmative Action
  0

"Affirmative Action is Divisive" Center for Equal Opportunity

• Only Kind of “Affirmative Action” at Issue is Racial Discrimination
  3
• The Only Issue is Whether the Benefits Outweigh the Costs
  2
• The Two Claimed Benefits of Affirmative Discrimination Not Persuasive
  2
• There Are Many Undeniable Costs to the Use of Racial Preferences
  2
• Envision the Society We Want/Ask if Preferences Will Help Us Get There
  2

"We Have To Think for Ourselves" Brandon Brice

• The Equal Opportunity Act Was Not About “Quotas”
  2
• The Bigger Picture of What’s Wrong With Black America
  2
• Lack of Preparation
  2

"Definitely" BAMN

• As Long as Racism and Sexism Exist, Affirmative Action is Still Needed
  2
• GPA and Standardized Test Scores are NOT Neutral Measures of Merit
  3
• Racism is the Cause of the "Badge of Inferiority"
  1
• Banning Affirmative Action Resegregates Higher Education
  3
• How to Keep Our Nation on the Path to Equality
  3

"Moving Beyond Race and Gender" Jennifer Gratz

• Equal Opportunity for All
  6
• The Constitutionality of Affirmative Action
  5
• Our National Tragedy
  3

Most Objections

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