My definition for affirmative action is preferential treatment towards minorities. There are two types of discrimination, positive discrimination and reverse discrimination. Positive discrimination is to choose someone because of their race or sex. Reverse discrimination is to discriminate against a majority group. Affirmative action falls under both types of discrimination. It falls under positive discrimination because it provides many opportunities for a minority just because of their race or sex. But it also falls under reverse discrimination because if an African American or a Hispanic student applies to a college at the same time that a white student applies to a college, the African American or Hispanic student is more likely to be chosen just because of their race. Even if the African American or Hispanic student has a lower grade point average and ACT or SAT score, it is more likely for them to be chosen than the white student that applied.
So far, I haven't taken a side on the debate concerning affirmative action. There a points on both sides of the debate that I find reasonable.
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The points that I agree with for supporting affirmative action is as follows:
- Allows diversity on university campus and work place.
- Organizations that are more diverse make better decisions because they have to keep in mind a wider variety of people.
- Diversity improves improves learning opportunities, because students are exposed to wider range of ideas.
The points that i agree with against affirmative action:\
- It is reverse discrimination against whites.
- Stigmatizes minorities, and characterizes them as being in need of special treatment.
- Puts minorities in situations where they may fail, and encourages them to view themselves as victims, therefore preventing them from reaching their full potential.
