Quote:
Originally posted by ADVOCATE
Hello Ladies:
I have been monitoring the Board for a while and I love it. I look forward to having discussions with all of you.
But let me get to the point. I want to get everyone's opinion on Affirmative Action. I was in Constitutional Law today and we are discussing the current state of the law concerning this issue. I was so shocked that the majority of the students believe that there is nolonger any need for any type of Affirmative Actions programs. Someone went so far to say that the playing field is now even for minorites so if we can not cut it then we don't deserve to get into the schools or get the jobs!!! I am upset, sorry for the long post. Tell me your thoughts.
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Hello Advocate. I have also had the similar discussion in my Constitutional Law Class during my second year of Law School. Yes, people still make the same remarks and it is weird because you would think that one, in these classes might be a little more enlightened. However, that is not always the case. Again, I believe also that many of students' comments come from the myths behind Affirmative Action. There is always going to be someone who may upset you. Try not to get too upset. I definitely disagree that the playing field is even. That is obvious. I am sure one can look in their law school classes, as I do and notice that the playing field is not equal. People need to be educated on the purpose of Affirmative action, because many feel it is to give African AMericans a place in a job or school, when all it is, is to ensure that we have the same opportunities after we have already met the minimum requirements for the job or school. But at the same time, sometimes individuals have an entitlement mentality. They feel they are entitled to the job, the seat in the class. More times than not, during this Affirmative Action discussion in my Constitutional Law Class, several students stated "my friend did not get in and they had..." blah, blah, blah. However, what one fails to realize, that no one has the right to get in, just because they meet the basic requirements. (Sound familiar to other situations). But at the same time, who's to say that job, or the seat was there's to begin with, and who said that the person who so called "took" that seat was African American. Moreover, no one ever acknowledges that we, African Americans are in these positions because we meet the requirements and are well deserving. Just my take. AGain, Affirmative Action is to give individuals the equal opportunity. But people seem to have forgotten, who benefited the most from Affirmative Action: 1st: White male veterans; 2nd: White women.... and at the bottom of the list were AFrican Americans who benefitted the least. Just my take.. Sorry for such a long post...And to add, I know that Affirmative Action does not only affect African Americans, I just chose to speak regarding African Americans, seeing as I am one
[This message has been edited by Lil' bit (edited November 02, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Lil' bit (edited November 02, 2000).]