Affirmative Action For African Americans - 1478 Words

Oliveira 1 Lucas Oliveira Ms. Alonso English 8 Honors 7 March 2015 Affirmative Action Have you ever wondered why all companies have employees of all races? Affirmative Action sought to give African Americans workers and minorities equal access to education and employment which was previously denied to them. It makes companies and schools give equal access to minorities. Affirmative Action is a topic that has been in government officials minds for a long time. Between 1870-1900, many African Americans held public office. Two members of the Senate and 20 members of the House were African American. But when the government stopped attempting Reconstruction in the 1800s, legal segregation arises and it took the gains of African Americans. African Americans and whites were separated in schools and all public places. In 1896 the case of Plessy v. Ferguson was brought up to the Supreme Court. In the case Plessy, who was one-eighth African American refused to leave a white-only railroad, saying segregation violated the his right of equal protection. The Supr eme Court decided that as long as the black and white railroad cars were equal it did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment. This brought up the principle of separate but equal. Affirmative Action was only reborn in 1941. On June 25 of that year President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802. It Oliveira 2 stopped government contractors from employment discrimination. It was the first presidential action againstShow MoreRelatedAfrican American Women And Affirmative Action1307 Words   |  6 PagesAfrican American Women and Affirmative Action How does one correct centuries of discrimination without alienating the majority, who have benefitted from the mistreatment of minorities as citizens of this country? Before understanding how affirmative action has an effect on U.S. history, one must comprehend what it is and what the motive was behind it. Affirmative action was the effort to improve education and career opportunities for women and minorities to make up for past discrimination practicesRead MoreAffirmative Action : African American And Hispanic870 Words   |  4 PagesRoberto Santiago’s essay Black and Latino reveals that even though he has been generally underrepresented by his ethnicity, he has led a successful life without affirmative action. Since Santiago was both African American and Hispanic he dealt with identity issues and stereotypes throughout his adolescent life. Even though affirmative action is supposed to make attempts to improve opportunities for groups that were historically excluded it is st ill a form of discrimination itself. The preference ofRead MoreAffirmative Action And The Civil Rights Movement1568 Words   |  7 PagesAffirmative Action has had a very tumultuous 54-year history. Affirmative action was a strategy that forged the Civil Rights Movement in response to the prejudiced approach toward African American citizens in the United States. The policy advocates that black citizens in particular conditions to avoid the unfairness they would usually receive. To try and explain why the methods and laws needed to be adjusted to be equal for everyone. It is essential to realize that 20 Africans came to America inRead MoreAffirmative Action And The Civil Rights Movement Essay1512 Words   |  7 PagesAffirmative action is a strategy formed during the Civil Rights Movement in response to the prejudiced approach toward African American citizens in the American community. The policy advocates these citizens in particular conditions to avoid the unfairness they would u sually receive. To explain why the system needed to be adjusted to be equal for everyone. It is essential to realize that African Americans came to America as laborers (slaves) made to work long hours and numerous slaves endured inhumanRead MoreAffirmative Action Programs Should Be Legal1320 Words   |  6 Pagesto our textbook, institutions or organizations involves with affirmative action programs in order to improve opportunities or provide compensations for individuals that belong to omitted groups in the U.S history. While affirmative action programs are prevalent in a numerous of fields, employment and education are the two most active fields that focus on the affirmative action. In many associations and other cases, the affirmative action can be considered as a series of privileged programs. TheseRead MoreAffirmative Action And Its Effects On Affirmative1263 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout America there are many different views on the effects of affirmative action. Many see it as a negative policy which gives an unnecessary advantage to minorities in America. In a 2009 Pew Poll, â€Å"58% of African Americans agree† and only â€Å"22% whites agree† that there should be â€Å"preferential treatment to improve the position of blacks and other minorities† (Public Backs Affirmative Action†). Today affirmative action and other racial injustices tend to be in the spotlight quite often, suchRead MoreAffirmative Action Essay968 Words   |  4 Pageslife. African Americans were subjected to slavery and discrimination and women had very little liberty. In the present, the United States is much closer to equality, yet gender and race still play a role in life’s opportunities given the high frequency of affirmative action programs; they attempt to increase the representation of minorities on college campuses and in the office, regardless of virtue. Programs of affirmative action arouse controversy because some groups view affirmative action as aRead MoreEssay on Affirmative Action and Racial Equality 1467 Words   |  6 Pages Affirmative Action and Racial Equality (1) Issue Identification Many individuals do not know the meaning of the term â€Å"affirmative action.† In order to clearly understand the issue, one must first know the necessary terms associated with it. Affirmative action is a term given to an action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination (i.e. African Americans, Asians, etc.). For example, certain scholarships for African Americans can be regarded as affirmative action opportunitiesRead MoreAffirmative Action At The United States1634 Words   |  7 Pageswrong with you? Why, nothing. You have everything we are looking for, it’s just†¦you’re black†¦Ã¢â‚¬  First established in 1961, Affirmative action (in the United States) was/is a practice in which the purpose is to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women (Merriam Webster). Fast forward to today’s society and what is affirmative action now? Considering the prevalence of diversity in the workplace and in educational facilities, it should be of utmost importanceRead MoreAffirmative Action Necessary or Unnecessary? Essay1000 Words   |  4 PagesAffirmative Action was centered around 1961 because women and minorities were being discriminated against. By definition, affirmative action is â€Å"the encouragement of increased representation of women and minority-group members, especially in employment† (Dictionary.com). The main controversy of affirmative action is whether or not it is still necessary, and if it should be abolished all together. It was originally intended to benefit cultural groups that were thought to suffer from discrimination