Affirmative Action- Fighting Racism With Racism

In Bill Clinton s 1992 campaign speech, his stance on affirmative action was mend it, not end it. These gives the impression that it is a positive, progressive idea that helps the minorities of our country further their education and have more successful careers. Affirmative action refers to policies and programs that directly or indirectly give preference to designated groups in awarding jobs and government contracts or granting admission to universities and professional schools to make up for past discrimination and allow them to catch up to groups not held back by such barriers. This is legal discrimination. The Constitution states that no person shall be denied anything because of factors that they cannot control. A person cannot control what race or gender they are, and a teenager cannot control which economic background they hail from; therefore, how is it permitted without a fight that a deciding factor in college acceptance or job promotion is a persons skin color? Supporters look at this as attempting to integrate minorities into higher level jobs, or by giving them a head start to a good future; critics point out this major fact, affirmative action is fighting racism with more racism.

There have been many instances when affirmative action has been used as a deciding factor in college admissions and job dismissal. Every time this has been used, and then the person on the receiving end has pursued this issue as unconstitutional, the courts have always found in favor of the plaintiff. In the case of Piscataway Township Board of Education vs. Taxman, a teacher, (Taxman), was dismissed after twenty years of work. Her anger occurred when she was informed in her dismissal notice that the board of education has decided to rely on its commitment to affirmative action as a means of breaking the tie in seniority entitlement. A teacher who was hired at the exact same time as Taxman and had the exact same credentials was entitled to the job because she was black. Another way of looking at the situation is Taxman was fired because she was white. Taxman brought this issue to court and it was found that the Piscataway school district violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by basing its layoff decision on race. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case, but the school district settles out of court to avoid having to pay further sums of money in, doubting that their appeal would be granted.

This case is one of many where affirmative action is contradicting everything that the United States is supposed to be about. People will not be given equal opportunity while this system is in place, and one of the liberties that US citizens have is that of the ability to control one s future. If they already have a strike against them because of their race, gender, or economic background, they will never be in control of where they are going and will always be one step behind everyone who benefits from affirmative action.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination by private employers. The Johnson and Nixon Administrations applied these anti-discriminatory provisions to federal government contractors and their employee policies. Since the government and private companies abide by this law, that does not leave many places where affirmative action is actually legal, and can be used. It should not be in existence. It was first initiated to level the

playing field , to let minorities who did not have the same opportunities as others catch up . At this point in time, everyone has the same opportunities. Public education is available to everyone. Welfare helps people get back on their feet. Financial aid and loans help students further their education. There are no more excuses for why affirmative action is still used. The playing field is as level as it will ever be, and it is time for each person to come up to bat for themselves, and to stop having to worry about whether or not the color of their skin or how much money they make will determine important aspects of their future.