The Affirmative Action Debate

1. The Affirmative Action Debate Pro Debaters: Audra Tindall Tiana Newsome Con Debaters: Aylin Atabek Elissa Vaidman

2. What is Affirmative Action • Affirmative action occurs whenever an organization goes out of its way to make sure that there is no discrimination based on race, gender, religion, disability, etc. • As a policy, it is a remedy to any discriminatory behavior in any company or institution. • “it’s the notion that you need to go out of your way to create justice. Its an acknowledgement that the world is less fair than we think and hope in our hearts and minds.”

3. Defining AA…continued • Affirmative Action is based on the concept of socio-economic equality; access to the “basics of life” (education, medical care). • Allocated these basics on a favored basis to certain classes—blacks and women. • Justified this: these two groups were considered to be victims; and have been “historically disadvantaged” and this is the only way to level the playing field.

4. Example of AA in effect • Title IX: • Allows for women to have more involvement in athletics. Dramatically increased female involvement. • There has to be equal men’s and women’s sports at any given school.

5. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act • Unlawful for any employer: To fail or refuse to hire or discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, or privileges of employment because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

6. Arguments FOR Affirmative Action • There are reasons: socially, politically, economically, culturally. • Socially: it helps to facilitate, almost mandating equality among classes, races, genders. • Politically: might help change the fact that we still have white, male presidents, and other high offices. • Economically: allows underprivileged to have opportunities in jobs and education that they otherwise would not be able to due to their circumstances. By getting more people educated, we have more people in jobs, and therefore a more productive society. Not having to take care through welfare and other governmental assistance. • Culturally: it teaches that races, genders, etc. are equal. So that our culture can start to change its paradigm: where white, upper class individuals don’t run everything.

7. Arguments AGAINST Affirmative Action Socially: although we have had Affirmative Action since 1961, white males, who just make up 39% of the population, still encompass: • 82% of Fortune companies, 77% of Congress, 90% of editors, and receive 25% more pay This clearly shows that affirmative action is not doing what it set out to accomplish. Politically: Still have a white, male president Economically: Affirmative action may limit hiring the “best” and “most qualified” workers. lowering standards; limiting efficiency, productivity, and profit. Culturally: minorities may be forced to accept the stigma that they are not as qualified or as skilled as their white-male counterpart.

8. Arguments FOR Affirmative Action • Prevents society from turning into a Social Darwin type of structure, where the best survive and the weak die out. • Encourages government involvement, instead of the precarious “free market” type mind set. • Helps to prevent and remedy victimization • Helps minorities and women • Allows for equal opportunities in Education and Employment

9. Arguments AGAINST Affirmative Action • It is still taking the “best” or “most qualified” of each group, therefore Social-Darwinism is still seen. • American government is based on capitalism. The government involvement questions this corporate freedom. • May place individuals in positions in which they are less qualified than their peers. • Encourages racism/ reverse discrimination: in general, “black/white gaps grew smaller before affirmative action; increased in the heyday of affirmative action; and have recently begun to shrink again as affirmative action programs have curtailed” (http://www.la.utexas.edu/phl304db/affaction.htm) • Does not create more education or more employment opportunities, because if one person gets the position, then another person does not.

10. Arguments AGAINST Affirmative Action • There should be greater emphasis placed on test scores for education and employment, rather than factors of race, gender, religion, etc., since tests assess the individual’s skill or ability. • One may question whether he acquired a job, (or got into a certain school), based on his own merits and abilities or because of affirmative action.