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Affirmative action was essentially established for socio-economic competition, as it aimed at taking away the white person’s unfair advantage in the workplace, therefore creating and fair atmosphere where the best-suited person is appointed to the job. This is one of the conflict perspective’s four observations, in which he explicitly recognises that racial groups do contend with one another. The second observation recognises that social change does not occur without pressure on the government. Martin Luther King Jr. noted that it was unusual for advantaged groups to give up their privileges voluntarily. In the late 1960s and early 70s hiring minorities was only considered as a result of heavy political pressure and lobbying.
The third observation discusses how “American apartheid” (Massey and Denton, 1993) prevents certain minority groups from achieving success in various areas. It argues that America’s competitive system is not healthy, as everyone is not given equal opportunities. As the functionalist perspective believes that gate keeping prevents certain capable minorities from becoming successful, so the conflict perspective believes that it isolates poor minorities in the ‘worst’ areas, schools and jobs. Supporters of affirmative action therefore believe that every American doesn’t have an equal opportunity to achieve maximum success.
The fourth observation examines that competitive groups require alliances with those who able to assist, or these groups attempt to sabotage their opposition by creating internal divisions. The initially black Civil Rights movement, for example, accepted the support of any minority group, as a stronger, united force would be more beneficial. Contemporary America remains divided about affirmative action, with the Democrats supporting and the Republicans opposing this social policy. Other critics of affirmative action believe that it will not only widen the split between groups, but it will also create conflict between groups as minorities are no longer working together as a united resisting body. If these minority groups unite, and fight for more opportunities for all of those in need, there is a greater chance that their requests would be seen to.
Disagreement over affirmative action takes place on two levels. The first is the direct struggle for jobs for certain material things, e.g. university placement, jobs etc., and involves political influence. The second is an ideological conflict and takes place among any two individuals or groups with opposing ideas. Basically, this conflict is intended to debate whether or not affirmative action is morally and economically valuable.
Affirmative action and inequality will continue to be debatable and controversial issues. It is generally accepted that affirmative action is the best way to go about change in society, as it is only fair to give minorities the rights and abilities to succeed, as they have been discriminated against for so long. Inequality is rather inevitable, as we are not all suited to the same things, and never will be. If one man puts far more effort and time into his job, surely he deserves more rewards than someone who applies himself less. As we are attempting to repair the (almost irreparable) mistakes of our past, certain sacrifices have to be made by the dominant groups in order to build and strengthen those who have been wronged.
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Writer Profile
Martin Tairo
As a very creative Architecture student at the University of Nairobi, i have had lots of interests in many forms of arts. These include performing arts, writing and drawing.
I have written many articles on issues ranging from humour, politics, religion and even the most controversial topics like human rights and abortion.
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Comments
Affirmative Action is such an ambiguity Antony Felix O. O. Simbowo | May 4th, 2005
To a rural, uneducated Africa or Third World woman for that matter, affirmative action would be such an ambiguity. Try explaining it to her.
The best you can do is to walk the talk. Look at your parliamentary representation, your family policy dialogues, your country's policy dialogues..Dont abuse your wife, sister, mother, aunt, niece...
Be happy when your boss is a woman...They understand nurture, a critical if not cornerstone of management..
Know that women are just human beings like men...They feel pain, bleed, hunger, cry....just like you
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