Significance of Affirmative Actions - Essay Example

? Affirmative action affiliation Affirmative action Introduction The numerous debates surrounding affirmative action as indicated in the work of Brown, Langer & Stewart (2012), have been entwined around the thoughts of analysts who believe in the fact that affirmative action has been practical in the battle against discrimination based on various affiliations. Crosby et al. (2006), on the other hand, indicate that affirmative action refers to any measure taken up with the plan of terminating any inequitable practices or any move that is adopted so as to avert any form of discrimination that is likely to crop up in the future. In the real sense, Bacchi (1996) indicates that the women and other marginalized groups are the most affected by discriminatory practices in organizations. It is in this light, as a result, that there is need to make sure that a proper rationale is effected to ensure that all persons in the workplace are handled as equally essential, and that all are represented well in the workplace. In addition, Crosby et al. (2006) are of the thought that, affirmative action allows for provision of equal opportunity of all persons, especially in terms of employment, promotion, and access to opportunities of attaining higher education. However, Fairclouch (2001) and Martin (2001) warn that it is vital to assess to what extent discrimination and bias prevails in an organization, and if promotion of equality is workable for all institutions. This is to mean that policy makers must be wary of this fact, and apply a proper guideline in the quest to provide equal treatment of all. This paper shall attempt to assess if affirmative action has yielded any positive results, and if not, whether it would be advised to abandon the policy. Positives of the affirmative action With an increase in the groups championing for the rights of the minority groups, notable the girl-child and the persons with special needs, it is evident that though the world has not created a leveled playing ground for all the interested parties, the cases of discrimination have reduced greatly (Pincus, 2003). In the world today, the women for instance have been extremely vocal when it comes to them fighting for their rights in the law courts, government, and the social world amongst others. It is at this point of argument that we would argue that there has been a great change from the naive, apprehensive and misguided woman to the modern day woman. A good example is Tyra of the Tyra Banks Show. This is to mean that the women are slowly gaining a prestigious position in the society that was once overshadowed by the prowess of the men. From the work of Bacchi (1996), the ‘new’ woman can be accredited as a product of affirmative action in the society. Through this action, the women have been given opportunities in the government; they have also been consulted prior to making any form of decisions that touch on the society amongst other leadership roles. Despite the numerous debates on the move by women groups to claim position in the society; that they are indeed poor decision makers and are only fit for ‘odd’ jobs, it is evident through the women leaders that there is a great likelihood that women might completely take over in the society. In the argument of Rabe (2001), though affirmative action has been questioned on its ability to reduce discrimination among the races, a huge difference can be seen as compared to the earlier years. In fact, Rabe (2001) insists that affirmative action should not be abandoned on the basis of it not being able to shun all forms of discrimination in the society. In the event that the affirmative action allows the black race improve their economic ability through leveling the employment protocols, it is possible that in the long run, the blacks will be accepted in the society (Rabe, 2001; Collins, 1993; Sitkoff, 1981). In his work, Rabe (2001) continues to argue that in the case of admission to universities, the affirmative action has been instrumental in allowing for admission of the minority group. Despite the admission tests not being the same; the racial consideration in terms of admission has greatly reduced. In the event that the affirmative action had earlier been abandoned, the admission rates would actually been minimized. As Rabe (2001) and Pincus (2003) indicate, the affirmative action has been instrumental in the assessment of the root cause of the problem of discrimination; thus, motivate the minority groups struggle for equal positions in the society. On the contrary Sowell (2005) is of the opinion that affirmative action leads to a lot of hostility among the concerned groups. However, the author emphasizes that in the long run the action may become productive and will allow for minimal cases of discrimination (Sowell, 2005). For affirmative action to be successful, Rabe (2001) indicates that, it is imperative that the action works closely with other moves that are anti-discrimination and that can socially uplift the minority. In the long run the action will be successful. Since the implementation of the action in the 1970s, Rabe (2001) cautions that nothing much has been yielded from the same. This thought is seconded by Thomas (1990) who indicates that affirmative action has provided a legitimate leeway for racism, as the whites always declare that they have been influential in allowing the minorities air their grievances, by passing the action. However, whether the results of the affirmative action are uncertain, it is palpable that the contemporary world is not the same as the one that existed. This is supported by Sitkoff (1981) who says that affirmative action has faced frequent drawbacks, but the same has been helpful in the products of a majority of the successful persons in the society. If the products of affirmative action are in existence, the major question revolves around why the action should be discarded. On a corresponding perspective, Crosby et al. (2006) indicate that prior to making any conclusion regarding the results and conclusions of affirmative action; all results need to be well scrutinized. The authors give an example of data provided on sample students who had a completely negative attitude on the affirmative action. Male students were not interested in the job in question, as they had a negative attitude towards the fact that women would be favored by the affirmative action. However, Crosby et al. (2006) indicate that though the males had a negative perception on the job, the study had numerous limitations that rendered the study invalid and unreliable. This is because most of the participants involved were not conversant with the provisions of the affirmative action. Sowell (2004) is keen to explain that discrimination of colour was not alien in the US in the 1990s. This can be evidenced with the African Americans ignored in various areas in the society, for instance is shopping malls where the white man was given more priority (Sitkoff, 2001). This discrimination on the basis of colour is also evident in the works of Brown and Webb (2007) and Burman (1995). Conclusion In summary, affirmative action has been instrumental in championing for the rights of the minority in the society. This has been possible as affirmative action now has a lot of backing from the courts. The entire society can be indicated to appreciate the fact that equality contributes a great extent to development. The major role of affirmative action, therefore, is to end the discrimination that had taken over the society; thus, misrepresentation of the minority. Though some analysts are of the opinion that affirmative action has not yielded any good results, the changes in the present day society are clear evidence that the society is going through a revolution, thanks to the affirmative action. Employment opportunities will then be equalised, racism in institutions minimised, and all opinions of the diverse groups in the society will be considered (Sitkoff, 2001). References Bacchi, C.L., 1996. The Politics of Affirmative Action: 'Women', Equality and Category Politics. London: SAGE. Brown, D. and Webb, C., 2007. Race in the American South: From Slavery to Civil Rights. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Brown, G., Langer, A., & Stewart, F., 2012. Affirmative Action in Plural Societies: International Experiences. Palgrave: Macmillan. Burman, S., 1995. The Black Progress Question. Thousand Oaks: Sage. Collins, S.M., 1993. ‘Blacks on the Bubble: The Vulnerability of Black Executives in White Corporations’, The Sociological Quarterly, 34, 3: 429-447. Crosby F.J. et al., 2006. ‘Understanding Affirmative Action’, Annual Review of Psychology, Vol 56:585-611. Crosby, F., & Clayton, S., 1992. Justice, Gender, and Affirmative Action. NY: University of Michigan Press. Fairclouch, A., 2001. Better Day Coming. London: Penguin. Martin, T., 2001.The Affirmative Action Empire: Nations and Nationalism in the Soviet Union, 1923-1939. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press. Pincus, F., 2003. Reverse Discrimination: Dismantling a Myth. NY: Lynne Rienner Publishers. Rabe, J., 2001. Johan Rabe: Equality, Affirmative Action and Justice. NY: BoD – Books on Demand. Sitkoff, H., 1981. The Struggle for Black Equality. New York: Hill and Wang. --------- 2001. Perspectives on Modern America. New York: Oxford University Press. Sowell, T., 2005. Affirmative Action Around The World: An Empirical Study. Haven: Yale University Press. Thomas, R. R., Jr., 1990. ‘From Affirmative Action to Affirming Diversity’, Harvard Business Review, March-April, pp 107-117. Read More