Affirmative Action Policy Map

Support

believe that those people who don't start out with the same privilege should get a push start

Underrepresented People

Women

Minorities

Disabled people

Democratic Party

Oppose

believe that if you work hard your hard work will pay off and we shouldn't introduce an unfair advantage

racist people

sexist people

Republican Party

quota hiring

setting the amount of women or minorities that have to be hired. ruled to be illegal

preferential hiring

giving special preference to women and minorities when hiring without actually setting quotas

justice requires compensation for past wrongdoings

racism and sexism are still present and need to be prevented by affirmative action

promotes diversity in colleges which is for the benefit of public interest

produces good social consequences and creates good role models for races and women, will lead to a gender and race blind society

"levels the playing field"

Philadelphia Plan (1969)

set numerical goals for black and other minority employees on federally financed construction jobs.

Expanded to include all businesses with 50 or more employees and federal contracts of at least $50,000

It can serve as a reverse discrimination.

It destroys the idea of a meritocracy.

a system in which the talented are chosen and moved ahead on the basis of their achievement

It can still reinforce stereotypes and racism.

It can generate unfavorable results for businesses and schools.

It can lower the accountability standards that are needed to push employees and students to perform better.

It can be condescending to minorities

It is difficult to remove, even after discrimination issues have been eliminated

specific

implementation target date within 6 months to 2 years

must have a plan of action

Achieved a balanced work force

prevent future discrimination

it is wrong because its discrimination and even though it is "good" discrimination it goes too far and is still bad because its just discrimination onto another group that doesnt deserve it

people shouldn't be punished for stuff their ancestors in groups did

society should be "race and gender blind" by making these discriminations it is putting emphasis on race and gender and essentially causing that focus

"common sense principle"

leads to negative social consequences

University of California Regents v. Bakke (1978)

Supreme Court decision: Rules out racial quotas but allows race to be consider with other factors

Allan Bakke, which medical school applicant (rejected 2 years in a row)

16 / 100 for racial minorities

Racial minorities were admitted with lower scores

Gratz v. Bollinger (2003)

Supreme Court decision: Rejects University of Michigan undergraduate admission system for awarding extra points to minority applicants

150 point scale to rank applicants / 100 minimum score

Racial minority - 20 points (in comparison perfect SAT - 14 points)

Jennifer Gratz rejected - 14th Amendment / Civil Rights Act Title VI (prohibits discrimination in programs receiving federal funding)

Fisher v. University of Texas (2012)

The case involves the legality of affirmative action, an option that encourages employers and admission committees to increase the representation of minority groups in companies and schools.

Plaintiff Abigail Fisher filed her lawsuit against UT Austin in 2008 because she believed the university did not admit her because she is white. Because Fisher did not fall under the top 10 percent of her graduating class, admission factors were based on leadership roles, extracurricular activities, volunteering, SAT scores and, according to Fisher, race.

It ensures diversity is in place

It helps disadvantaged individuals with advancing

It offers a boost to disadvantaged students

It promotes equality for all races

It breaks stereotypes regarding color

It promotes more work and study

It lets minority students get into advanced education

It assures equality in the workplace