The Issue of Setting Up Affirmative Action Programs
The issue of setting up affirmative action programs is mainly generated from the fact that everyone does not have the same or equal opportunities in life. Therefore when we say that there will be a competition for opportunities, some competitors are always halfway to the chance while others have not started. Thus, there is a need that all competitors be given an equal opportunity. This is because at times the disadvantaged competitors are at most times the once that deserve a break and if they had similar chances they would get it.
The Authors of "Affirmative Action as Equalizing Opportunity: Challenging the Myth of "Preferential Treatment"
The authors of the "Affirmative Action as Equalizing Opportunity: Challenging the Myth of "Preferential Treatment" article, Luke Charles Harris and Uma Narayan, are supporting the issue of setting up affirmative action programs. They tend to think that people misunderstand the meaning of this issue and how important it is. This is because most people think that these programs are aimed at benefiting one group ("Affirmative Action as Equalizing Opportunity: Challenging the Myth of "Preferential Treatment"). The authors defend this by suggesting that it is not about wealth but there are multiple types of disadvantages. The authors believe that this affirmative action programs are not meant to bring preferential treatment but introduce equality in opportunities for everyone. The authors conclude that the program would help in bringing equality and also lead to a balance of opportunities.
An Affirmative Action Program for Disadvantaged Communities and Groups
Yes. I think an affirmative action program should be set up for the disadvantaged communities and groups in colleges and universities. However, considerable care should be taken when setting up this program. This is because they may give an advantage to the wrong group. The positions given to these groups may end up being misused ("Case Against Affirmative Action"). When it comes to these disadvantaged groups at times, the disadvantage is too significant for them to be able to bridge it. For instance, a boy born and raised in a poor background who cannot afford university tuition fee. They, however, had qualified for the entry into college or university. They will, therefore, end up not attending university for this. An affirmative program can help these students pay their fee. They will only be left with the baggage of raising upkeep money. This affirmative action ensures that everyone is on the same ground at the beginning and therefore we can tell who the best at the end is as everyone was given an identical start point. Some of the issues have led to students underperforming.
Works Cited
"Affirmative Action as Equalizing Opportunity: Challenging the Myth of "Preferential Treatment." African American Policy Forum Archive, 25 Feb. 2007, aapfarchive.wordpress.com/2007/02/25/equalizingopportunity/.
"The Case against Affirmative Action." Sacramento State - California State University, Sacramento,www.csus.edu/indiv/g/gaskilld/business_computer_ethics/the%20case%20against%20affirmative%20action.htm.
