affirmative action Essay -- Affirmative Action Essays

Affirmative action is an attempt by the United States to amend a long history of racial discrimination and injustice. Our school textbook defines affirmative action as â€Å"a program established that attempts to improve the chances of minority applicants for educational or employment purposes, although they may have the same qualifications, by giving them leverage so that they can attain a level that is equal to caucasian applicants† (Berman 522). There are people that support and oppose this issue. Opponents of affirmative action have many reasons for opposing this issue, one of them being that the battle for equal rights is over, and that this advantage made for people of color discriminates against people that are not of color. The people that defend affirmative action argue this advantage is needed because of how badly discriminated the people of color once were. Because of the discrimination that once was these people claim that they are at a disadvantage, and alwa ys have been, therefore equality of opportunity is needed. It is also said that affirmative action is used to encourage diversity and integration. This paper will discuss the history of affirmative action, how it is implemented in society today, and evaluate the arguments that it presents. In order to discuss how affirmative action was put into legislation, we must review the history of black americans and slavery. America’s Declaration of Independence stated that â€Å"all men were created equal,† but under the Constitution blacks were not created equal because first of all, they were not American citizens; they were considered to be property. This is seen in the Dred Scott v. Sanford case (1857) when Dred Scott, a slave is taken by his master to settle into other free states and back into the state of Missouri (not a free state). When his master died, he claimed to be free because he had lived in states where slavery was illegal. This case went to the Supreme Court, where it was ruled that Scott could not sue because he was not a citizen (Berman 508). Slavery was abolished by the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, but blacks, other minorities, and women continued to be deprived of the right of citizenship. The Fourteenth Amendment was passed in 1868, making blacks citizens and promised them the "equal protectio... ... admissions although many people do support it and use it as an advantage. Although affirmative action is used to give people a greater opportunity, it has been seen that it has been used in unjust ways. This is what the government hopes to omit. Works Cited Artze, Isis. â€Å"College Find New Ways to Diversify.† Hispanic. (2001): 64. Berman, Larry, and Murphy, Bruce Allen. Approaching Democracy. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2001. Bergmann, Barbara R. In Defense of Affirmative Action. New York: Basic Books, 1996. Eastland, Terry. Ending Affirmative Action. New York: Basic Books, 1996. â€Å"Excerpts From Clinton Talk on Affirmative Action.† Editorial. New York Times 20 July 1995:A9. Gose, Ben, and Schmidt, Peter. â€Å"Ruling Against Affirmative Action Could Alter Legal Debate and Admissions Practices.† Chronicle of Higher Education. (2001): 36. Stonecipher, Harry C. A Place to stand. 21 Debated Issues in American Politics. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000.

Effects of Title Ix

Title IX Title IX is a rule established in the NCAA to regulate men and women college sports. The title was passed in 1972. The reason that I am interested in this subject is because I am a college wrestler. Wrestling is one of the greatly affected sports when relating to this. The title states that men and women must have the equal opportunities to participate in sports. Over 150 wrestling programs have been dropped since the passing. This title could greatly affect my life in the next few years.The wrestling coaches here have talked about how our wrestling program here at Appalachian State could possibly be discontinued due to Title IX. The budget for the sports programs here are not even across the board. The money spent on men’s sports is greater than the amount spent on women’s. I do not think that the program is seriously in danger of being canceled, but I do know that we cannot have as many people on the team next year that we do this year. At least 7 people have to be cut before next year.I think that this Title should not be in place at all. There are many more men that want to participate in sports then women. This title takes away from the opportunities that men have to play. Most women sports do not bring in much money. The majority of money on any campus comes from the football team. Men sports bring in more money than women’s, so it would only be right to allow more men sports. I feel like my opinion on this says that I am not really for women sports.That is kind of true. The women sports that I have seen myself are never as interesting as the men sports. Girls are just as competitive sometimes but the level of competition is just not that of a guy’s event. As for our culture, this subject being controversial says that other people feel the same way that I do. This issue is one that will remain controversial for years. Many people have tried to find a solution, but this is a very complex idea. It greatly affects men and women.

Collections of Stories that Address the Nature of Racism...

The world is a home to a culturally diverse population. Each culture has their own beliefs, values, and truth that provide us with knowledge and a deeper appreciation of ourselves. We live in the age of Globalization in which culture should not be an issue. Discrimination and Racism plant borders between cultures. Everyone becomes blind to the fact that they are all part of one race, the human race. Differences of color and beliefs should not set us apart from each other, everyone is unique, and these differences should be valued. If it weren’t for these differences, every day would be the same, there would be no new information to learn, nothing to gain. Coming from different backgrounds, everyone wants to be respected and welcomed into†¦show more content†¦Racism creates a loss of self-sense in the individual, breaking them down with no support to lift them back up. Racism is a factor in breaking down a community, and cause suffering. Many individuals don’t realize that Racism brings them no good, it has nothing to offer. Feeling superior over another culture and having more power only lowers humanity. Racist attitudes can come from people due to their upbringing. Our family members and friends have a big influence over our ideas, and views. However, we need to take in mind and distinguish the difference between a positive and negative view. Negative views, will only lead to make negative choices resulting in a negative future. Having a positive perspective will lead us towards a positive direction, bringing good results and many bonds to cherish for life. Being human is not judging one as inferior, but following humanity, and treating everyone with equality. In the novel, â€Å"Three Day Road†, by Boyden the main characters are discriminated because they are Native. Niska shares her journey, and story of her identity being forced away from her during childhood. The natives struggled with residential schooling and forced assimilation into the White culture. She shares her story of being mistreated at school, with her hair being cut, symbolizing the loss of her culture. Through her journey, we are lead to her nephew Xavier, and his friend Elijah’s journey, in which they both face racism as well. They bothShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Book Brownies By Zz Packer1749 Words   |  7 PagesBrownies Introduction Brownies is a story by ZZ Packer, who is a contemporary African American writer. The story appears in her short story collection Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, which was published in 2003. The story provides a platform that reveals the strenuous relationship between the African American and the Whites during the mid of the twentieth century. The story entails the Brownie troop of fourth grade African American girls who went to a summer camp. During their camping, they did encounterRead MoreAssimilation Of Secondary Society : The Story Of Doris Is Coming By Zz Packer980 Words   |  4 Pagesculture as they assimilate to a new society, but the minority cultures were seconded . The difference in culture set an unbreakable social barrier and boundaries bounded by neglecting of small culture. The Story of Doris is Coming by ZZ Packer, is one of the short stories from her collection of Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, is about Doris Yates, a religious and family girl who helps her mother clean the Jewish Church, friend of Olivia but they don t seem to get along well and She wanted to be savedRead MoreCivil Liberties And Civil Rights1500 Words   |  6 Pages(Lins) Morgan - Student ID: 3104067 GOVT - 2305 - 71063 Northlake College Had I been born a mere 60 years earlier, I would likely be in jail. 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Lyons explains: â€Å"Eatonville residents were somewhat safe from lynchings and other racial violence, although Zora recalled that the village did its best to teach her fear of white strangers† (11). Zora’s childhood was filled with thriving community as well as isolation from the hatred and racism that lurked outside of the confines of Eatonville. â€Å"[Zora’s] early childhood was so free from discrimination that it took a tripRead MoreRacism and Ethnic Discrimination44667 Words   |  179 PagesRACISM AND ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION IN NICARAGUA Myrna Cunningham Kain With the collaboration of: Ariel Jacobson, Sofà ­a Manzanares, Eileen Mairena, Eilen Gà ³mez, Jefferson Sinclair Bush November 2006 Centro para la Autonomà ­a y Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indà ­genas Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Autonomy and Development Racism and Ethnic Discrimination in Nicaragua November 2006 Contents 1. 2. Introduction Structure of the study 2.1 Scope and methodology 4 7 7 3. RacismRead MoreThe Atlantic Slave Trade ( 1441 A.d )3992 Words   |  16 Pagesshould resist equating African American history with our Civil War-era history. There’s so much interesting and information about African American history that goes beyond the Civil War (1861- 1865). African American history is full of incredible stories, rich culture, and courageous acts that were under taken in circumstances that we can barely imagine in modern society. This paper will focus on the incredible oppressive laws and institutions that restricted the freedoms of Black Americans beforeRead MoreRacial Profiling by Police is Not Justified Essay4080 Words   |  17 PagesEven the United States struggles with issues of racial discrimination despite being a society highly based on immigrants and multicultural diversity. On one hand, people frown on treatment based on race, whether that is on an individual or group level. 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