Affrimative Action

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What is affirmative action? Put simply affirmative action is a program by which society tries to even out the playing field and repay those of the minority by placing them in a higher advantage that they would not have otherwise.

According to Robert Chrisman, The term affirmative action was brought into to our attention by President John F. Kennedy,in 1981, while giving his Executive Order 10925. In this order Kennedy called for a massive increase in minority populations in the workforce, this call was made prior to the passage of the Civil Rights legislation, which later furthered the idea of affirmative action in the late 1960’s.(Chrisman,p.71) According to the term Affirmative action was introduced by President Lyndon Johnson in his Executive Order 11246 in 1965. Johnsons order stated that applicants and employed are treated the same without regard to their race , color, religion, sex, or national origin(Tatum, p.117). Although there were many sources who disagree upon the origins of this term, we do know that is was introduced by the U.S. Federal Government as a means to create equal opportunity for historically disadvantaged populations. The targeted groups included: white women, men and women of color (defined by the U.s. Government as American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asians. Pacific Islanders,Blacks and Hispanics). (Tatum, p.117) In the !970’s legislation was passed to include people with disabilities and Veterans. Specific plans for affirmative actions were not defined by Executive Order 1124, which left room for interpretation throughout the country.(Tatum, p.117)

Roots of the affirmative action policy can be traced back to the Civil Rights Act of 1963 particularly in Title VII, which bans the discrimination of ...

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...ctually providing results I am unsure. In Michael Sandel’s Video Lecture on affirmative action, the topic of affirmative action at colleges was greatly discussed, a recurring theme that I was how to determine what was a fair percentage or numerical system that would provide the right amount if equal opportunity; I to share this question. In sandal’s lecture a student brought up a benefit to having affirmative action in school is providing diversity, by introducing different cultures to one another. My argument to her would be; could it be these cultural difference that are providing these gaps in opportunity? Could the lack of work ethic perpetrated by that cultural society or family that negate an opportunity a person would have otherwise? I able to see the good and bad of affirmative action therefor I could not decided between being a supporter or non-supporter.

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