Affirmative action: reverse discrimination

Amanda Smith

We have all heard the famous line by Bill Cosby “stop blaming white people”- a statement made by the comedian nearly 8 years ago, and yet we are still being blamed for things and allowing minorities to be favored because of skin color.

For years, affirmative action stepped in by helping minorities fight against prejudice when only white males seemed to be landing the jobs and most classrooms contained white faces. 48 years later, it is apparent that affirmative action has done its duty.

 Even though intentional minority advancement seems to be over, Americans feel affirmative action continues to fester in today’s society and it’s left a bad taste in many majorities’ mouths.

In general race should no longer be a discussion when trying to advance in school or work but it continues to be an issue.

Why is it that almost every job or school application requires race or ethnicity as an identifier? Tell me that race is not a determinating factor.

My minority friends admit they have used their ethnicity to get advancement in life. If playing the minority card can get you  what you want, then why not use it?

In higher education just two months ago, Supreme Court case Fisher vs. Texas made news when a white university student was rejected by admissions to the University of Texas in Austin while her minority counterparts with lower grades got in. Is there a reverse discrimination occurring in today’s society?

I believe so.

Those who disagree with reverse discrimination argue that minorities generally have poorer living conditions and have a more difficult time advancing themselves.

So it’s only fair they get a helping hand right?

But I myself was one of the poor white folk that came from a single-mother household and was just as bad off financially if not worse than my ethnically diverse friends.

If the concern is that financial hardships and the background an individual came from is the inhibiting factor for people then socioeconomic status should be considered instead of race.

Today in America, we have a black man as President. Many of our favorite Hollywood stars are minorities. I walk into any store and see diversity among employees and managers. We have definitely surpassed the discrimination minorities faced long ago.

There will always be prejudices against different ethnicities but minorities should not be given so many hand outs.

The more we favor any race, the more we live segregated lives.

Until we completely leave race alone and are advanced soley by merit and hard work, affirmative action and similar laws will continue to fester and divide us in a country that is supposed to be “indivisible”.

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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